Short-term economic impact of foot and mouth disease outbreak in large dairy farm in Kiambu District, Kenya

Abstract

The short term farm level economic impact of foot and mouth disease outbreak in a large scale diary farm was assessed during quarantine period (35 days) and 60 days after lifting the quarantine. Direct and indirect areas that contribute to financial losses were identified for the period of observation (95 days) the greatest direct financial impact due to milk losses (42.0%) followed by purchase of additional feeds (13.6%) and culling of milk cows that developed chronic mastitis (12.5%). the other direct costs were extra labor inputs (8.9%), veterinary fees (3.3%), transport (3.0%) deaths(3.0%) drugs(2.9%) abortions (1.4%) and chemicals (0.5). the indirect costs associated with the effects of the quarantine period on other farm enterprises. During quarantine period on other farm enterprises. During the quarantine period there were no sales of pigs and hay and the retained pigs in addition to not fetching premium prices required additional feeds. The overall short-term farm level direct and indirect costs associated with outbreak amounted to Ksh 1,201,950 equivalent to US $ 16,026 (1 US $= 75Ksh.). This colossal economic loss within such a short period of time indicates that the control of FMD is of paramount importance in the diary farming sector in Kenya. The factors that would determine the magnitude of the financial losses due to an outbreak of FMD are discussed.