Pius Chilonda

Attitude towards and Uptake of Veterinary Services by Small-Scale Cattle Farmers in Eastern Province, Zambia

This paper analyses the uptake of veterinary services by small-scale farmers in Eastern province, Zambia, following the change in livestock disease control policy (farmers now have to pay for the veterinary services they receive). The study is based on a questionnaire survey of 209 small-scale farmers and shows that they are using more therapeutic services than prophylactic services. Attitude analysis shows a general similarity in attitudes. However, willingness to pay for veterinary services is a critical issue for small-scale farmers. Empiricallogit analysis shows that the small-scale farmers in the study area who make use of veterinary services are experienced in cattle keeping, earn money from the draft power use of oxen, are educated and knowledgeable about cattle husbandry practices, and share a positive attitude towards veterinary services and privatization. The paper concludes that, if the direct benefits small-scale farmers derive from cattle rearing can be improved (eg through better marketing opportunities for cattle and their products), and the extension system strengthened, the uptake of veterinary services may be expected to increase.

Classification of cattle and small ruminant production systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

This paper presents a classification of cattle and small ruminant production systems in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). A review of literature has shown that there can be as many classifications of livestock systems as there are criteria to classify them, hence the need for a systematic classification to aid the analysis of livestock development in SSA. Agroecological zones principally determine cattle and small ruminant production systems in SSA. A classification of cattle and small ruminant systems is presented based on the length of growing period, rainfall, cropping and mean temperature during the growing period. The main traditional ruminant production systems are grassland-based (pastoral) systems, occurring mainly in areas with less than 90 days of plant-growing period, and mixed production systems occurring in areas with more than 90 days of plant growing. Mixed systems can be further differentiated on the basis of temperature during the growing period, into lowland mixed systems (semi-arid mixed, subhumid mixed and humid mixed) and highland mixed systems (highland mixed and smallholder dairy system, which is a non-traditional system). The non-traditional ruminant production systems are ranching and smallholder dairy systems. The authors conclude that, although a further categorization of livestock systems at individual country level may be produced, the classification presented here could be a basis for the analysis of livestock production in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in livestock development analyses in which the individual livestock system is the unit of analysis.

Cattle production and veterinary care systems in Zambia

This paper provides a review of the delivery of veterinary services in Zambia in response to the privatization and liberalization policies of the government. Historically veterinary services were provided free of charge, but this led to a deterioration of the effectiveness and coverage of the veterinary services to livestock farmers. In order to address this problem, the Agriculture Sector Investment Program, launched by the government in 1996, has redefined the roles and responsibilities of both the public and private sectors in the delivery of veterinary services. The role of the public sector is limited to regulation, control and monitoring, whilst implementation of the field activities is now the responsibility of the private sector. The authors look at the roles and responsibilities of these two sectors in relation to cattle production, since cattle are the most important livestock in Zambia.

Small-Scale Cattle Production in Eastern Province, Zambia: Objectives, Productivity and Constraints

The paper describes small-scale cattle production in Eastern province, Zambia by considering the objectives of small-scale cattle farmers, husbandry practices, indicators of productivity, typology, efficiency, constraints and objectives for small-scale cattle development. The study is based on a questionnaire survey of 209 small-scale farmers keeping cattle. The results show that small-scale farmers mainly keep cattle as a store of wealth, for draught power, to minimize risk, and for milk production. The small-scale farmers can be grouped into relatively high, medium and low-productivity small-scale farmers. The study shows that in order to improve the efficiency of small-scale cattle production in the study area, there is a need to increase calving rates and to reduce mortality rates, specifically by increasing the utilization of veterinary inputs and improving extension services. This should be accompanied by improvements in the marketing arrangements for agricultural products in general, and for cattle and cattle products in particular, and access to credit. The general strategy should consist, on the one hand, of increasing the productivity and performance of those small-scale farmers not attaining minimum productivity levels, and on the other hand, of improving the marketing possibilities for small-scale farmers who are performing well.