Economic assessment of the performance of trypanotolerant cattle breeds in a pastoral production system in Kenya
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Date
2009Author
Maichomo, M W
Kosura, W O
Gathuma, J M
Gitau, G K
Ndung'u, J M
Nyamwaro, S O
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Cattle are the major source of food security and income for pastoral farmers in sub-Saharan
Africa. However, infectious and parasitic diseases remain a major constraint to improved
cattle productivity in the region. The use of animal health economics to support decisionmaking
on cost-effective disease control options is increasingly becoming important in
the developing world. Trypanotolerant indigenous Orma/zebu cattle in a trypanosomosisendemic
area of Kenya were evaluated for economic performance using gross-margin
analysis and partial-farm budgeting. Orma/zebu and Sahiwal/zebu cross-bred cattle were
exposed to similar husbandry practices and monitored for growth rate, incidence of common
infections (trypanosomosis, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, East Coast Fever and helminthosis)
and the cost of treatment assessed. Interview questionnaires were also used to assess
the preference rating of the 2 breeds. Results indicated that incidence of infection was
trypanosomosis 3 %, anaplasmosis 58 %, babesiosis 11 %, East Coast Fever 22 % and
helminthosis 28 %, with no significant difference between breeds. The Orma/zebu and
Sahiwal/zebu breeds had comparable economic benefits, hence a pastoralist in Magadi
division is likely to get similar returns from both breeds. This study therefore recommends
adoption of not only the Sahiwal/zebu but also the Orma/zebu breed for cattle improvement
in trypanosomosis endemic areas and conservation of indigenous genetic resources.
URI
http://www.jsava.co.za/index.php/jsava/article/view/194http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/32688
Citation
Maichomo, M. W(2009). Economic assessment of the performance of trypanotolerant cattle breeds in a pastoral production system in Kenya. Journal of South Africa Vetrinary Association; 80(3): 157-162Publisher
Department of Public Health, pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Nairobi
Subject
Agro-pastoralistsGross-margin analysis
Orma/zebu
Partial-farmbudget analysis
Sahiwal/zebu
Trypanotolerance
Description
Journal article