Table 2 Comparative analysis of preference rankings of functions of sheep and goats in the three West African cities of Kano (Nigeria), Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina Faso) and Sikasso (Mali)

Sale of live animals for regular cash income

4.74^aA

(6)

5.32^aB

(7)

4.88^acCα

(7)

4.90^aA

(6)

5.23^aA

(6)

3.16^aBβ

(2)

Sale of live animals for extra cash during Eid al-Kabir

3.56^bAα

(2)

4.99^aB

(6)

3.39^bAα

(2)

4.57^abAβ

(5)

5.24^aB

(7)

5.10^bBβ

(7)

Sale of live animals for cash to fulfill expected expenses

3.65^bAα

(3)

3.67^bA

(3)

4.43^aAα

(5)

2.93^cAβ

(2)

3.39^bdB

(3)

4.93^bCβ

(6)

Sale of live animals for cash in case of emergency

2.47^cAα

(1)

2.35^cAα

(1)

4.15^cBα

(4)

1.80^dAβ

(1)

1.77^cAβ

(1)

4.91^bBβ

(5)

Herd size as capital asset (storage of capital)

4.29^aA

(5)

4.57^aA

(5)

3.02^bB

(1)

4.27^aeA

(4)

4.97^afB

(5)

3.03^aC

(1)

Use of animals for cultural/ritual/religious events

3.85^abA

(4)

3.32^bB

(2)

4.64^acAα

(6)

4.12^beA

(3)

3.08^bB

(2)

3.54^aBβ

(4)

Herd size as social status and pleasure (prestige)

5.46^dA

(7)

3.79^bBα

(4)

3.51^bC

(3)

5.43^fA

(7)

4.34^dfBβ

(4)

3.33^aC

(3)