Analysing innovations among cattle smallholders to evaluate the adequacy of breeding programs

Abstract

Many breeding programs have been implemented in developing countries, many of which have been unsuccessful. To better understand the failure of these breeding programs, it is proposed to analyze their adequacy with innovations that are actually adopted by smallholders. The proposed methodology takes account of these innovations, the reasons for their adoption and the objectives of livestock keeping. The N'Dama cattle-breeding program in Senegal was used as a case study. Surveys were carried out among 54 farmers: 27 breeders who participated in this program, 17 of whom recently resigned, and 27 breeders who have never participated. Feeding was the most frequently cited area of innovation, followed by infrastructure. Genetics, animal health and reproduction held the third rank. Milk production appeared as an important objective of breeders, although the context remains one of strong multifunctionality. Principal component analysis highlighted three categories of breeders according to the innovations they adopted: institutional, modernizing, and integrating innovators. The groups of institutional and modernizing innovators dominate, gathering each 41% of the farmers. In the first category, breeders have organized themselves in an association and use N'Dama sires, livestock aiming at an insurance objective. In the second category, artificial insemination with exotic breeds and other technical innovations (cowshed, vaccination, urea treatment of straw) are used to improve production of milk and meat. The third group is termed 'integrating innovators,' since their innovations aim at integrating livestock and crop production. Gathering 18% of the sampled breeders, this group presents intermediate features between the two previous groups, using animals as draught power and for manure production. These results indicate that a process of intensification is at play and that the genetic improvement through the selection of N'Dama cattle for production criteria does not meet the breeders' demand. However, the N'Dama's adaptive traits justify its use as part of the breeding strategy of farmers, either in pure-breeding or in crossbreeding. The study thus tends to show the interactive link between genetic improvement and other innovations. It suggests that the success of a breeding program depends on its adequate positioning within the set of innovations adopted by breeders and proposes a method to inform breeding programs accordingly.

Evaluation of slaughter cattle grades and standards of cull cows

“…The leading selection value in the aspect of genetic improvement of the productivity of the herd and the longevity of its cows belongs to the selection of animals on the basis of exterior type (Camara et al, 2019;Paliy, 2016;Rodrigues-Bermudesz et al, 2019). Only animals with good health, adapted to the harsh conditions of use on industrial complexes, can guarantee high rates of life-long productivity (Berry, 2018;Kern et al, 2015;Palii et al, 2019a).…”

Determinants of breeders’ participation to an indigenous cattle breeding program

“…Nevertheless, both the herd size and the number of N'Dama cattle are significantly and positively tied to the number of animals sold (Spearman's test, r = 0.45 and r = 0.4, respectively), which was significantly linked to participation as shown by logistic regression (Table 2). This indirect link may be interpreted as highlighting the importance of savings and insurance objectives in traditional farming as well as the role of indigenous breeds in meeting these goals (Camara et al 2019). Rather than resulting from a commercial logic, the sale of animals mainly aims at facing eventual financial needs.…”

“…Frameworks are also proposed to structure these factors and guide our understanding of farmers' behavior, as the theory of reasoned action and the theory of planned behavior, which are then associated to statistical approaches, quantifying behaviors and including psychological and sociological characteristics in the analysis of farmers' motivation to adopt an innovation or diversify their activities (Senger et al 2017). In the case of genetic progress, Camara et al (2019) mobilized multivariate analysis to highlight the need to analyze the adoption of pure-breeding or crossbreeding within the wider range of innovations farmers are developing and adopting with regards to evolving objectives and constraints.…”

“…In turn, crop residues such as rice straw, millet or corn stalks, and cotton seeds are fed to animals. In addition to the N'Dama pure-breeding, breeders of this system practice crossbreeding (N'Dama cattle × Gobra cattle and N'Dama × exotic breed) for the production of animals for draught power, saving, and for meat and milk production (Camara et al 2019). The second most common system is the grazing system.…”

“…The second most common system is the grazing system. This system mainly rests on the use of the N'Dama cattle, preferred for its trypanotolerance (Camara et al 2019).…”