Use of rapid rural appraisal and cross-sectional studies in the assessment of constraints in smallholder cattle production systems in the western Kenya highlands

Assessment of livestock production constraints in the smallholder dairy systems in the western Kenya highlands was carried out using both qualitative and quantitative epidemiological methods. Rapid rural appraisals (qualitative) were conducted in rural and peri-urban areas. A cross-sectional survey...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Onderstepoort journal of veterinary research 2003-09, Vol.70 (3), p.237-242
Main Authors: Okuthe, O.S. (National Veterinary Research Centre, Kikuyu (Kenya). Epidemiology and Socio-Economics Div.), McLeod, A, Otte, J.M, Buyu, G.E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal Feed - economics
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
Animal Husbandry - economics
Animal Husbandry - methods
Animals
Animals, Domestic
BOVIN
CATTLE
Cattle Diseases - diagnosis
Cattle Diseases - epidemiology
COACCIÓN
CONSTRAINTS
CONTRAINTE
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dairying - economics
Dairying - methods
DIAGNOSTIC RURAL RAPIDE
DIAGNÓSTICO RURAL RÁPIDO
EPIDEMIOLOGY
EPIDEMIOLOGÍA
EXPLOTACIÓN EN PEQUEÑA ESCALA
GANADERÍA
GANADO BOVINO
Humans
KENIA
KENYA
Kenya - epidemiology
MEDICINA VETERINARIA
MÉDECINE VÉTÉRINAIRE
PETITE EXPLOITATION AGRICOLE
RAPID RURAL APPRAISAL
Rural Health
SMALL FARMS
Tick-Borne Diseases - diagnosis
Tick-Borne Diseases - epidemiology
Tick-Borne Diseases - veterinary
Urban Health
VETERINARY MEDICINE
Water Supply
ÉLEVAGE
ÉPIDÉMIOLOGIE
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Summary:Assessment of livestock production constraints in the smallholder dairy systems in the western Kenya highlands was carried out using both qualitative and quantitative epidemiological methods. Rapid rural appraisals (qualitative) were conducted in rural and peri-urban areas. A cross-sectional survey (quantitative) was then conducted on a random sample of farms in the study area. Diseases, poor communication, lack of marketing of livestock produce, lack of artificial insemination services, and feed and water shortages during the dry season were identified as the major constraints to cattle production in both areas. Tick borne diseases (especially East Coast fever) were identified as the major constraint to cattle production. Qualitative methods were found to be more flexible and cheaper than the quantitative methods by a ratio of between 2.19-2.0. The two methods were found to complement each other. Qualitative studies could be applied in preliminary studies before initiating more specific follow up quantitative studies.
ISSN:0030-2465
2219-0635