Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.
Institut de Recherche Pour le Développement (IRD), Dakar, Senegal.
PLoS One. 2021 Feb 25;16(2):e0247644. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247644. eCollection 2021.
The dairy industry in Senegal is growing and evolving against a backdrop of rapid urbanisation and increasing consumer demand for dairy products. Consideration of appropriate cattle healthcare delivery and disease control in these evolving farming systems is of paramount importance given the risks posed by zoonotic pathogens and the economic consequences of disease for livestock keepers. Planning and implementation of disease control and healthcare delivery generally follows a top down approach. Often this does not take into account the views and perceptions of the farmers it impacts and who must behave in the expected way for successful outcomes to materialise. In this study, we asked 76 farmers to discuss their experience and opinions of farming milk producing cattle in 11 focus group discussions conducted in two peri-urban areas of Senegal. The objectives were to investigate farmers' perceptions of the current conditions in farming, to understand how these might impact the future direction of this particular system and how this might affect the feasibility and appropriate methods of cattle healthcare delivery and disease control. The data collected were subjected to thematic analysis and four themes were identified; 1. Revered cattle, 2. The changing face of livestock keeping, 3. Powerlessness, 4. Optimism for the future. Farmers in our study had a deep affinity with their cattle, they respected the traditions surrounding cattle keeping at the same time as striving for advances within the system and their animal's productivity. Within strong social groupings and hierarchical structures they recognised the inherent challenges they face but were hopeful and optimistic about growth and opportunity in the future of milk production. A holistic approach to embedding healthcare delivery and disease control within the broader context in which farmers operate may prove successful. This could involve consideration of funding channels for farmers, access to appropriate inputs and utilising the strong community spirit and social norms of farmers to initiate and facilitate change.
塞内加尔的奶制品行业在快速城市化和消费者对奶制品需求不断增长的背景下发展壮大。考虑到人畜共患病病原体带来的风险以及疾病对牲畜饲养者的经济后果，在这些不断发展的农业系统中，适当的牛群保健服务和疾病控制至关重要。疾病控制和保健服务的规划和实施通常采用自上而下的方法。这种方法往往没有考虑到受其影响的农民的观点和看法，而农民必须按照预期的方式行事，才能取得成功。在这项研究中，我们邀请了 76 位农民参加了 11 次焦点小组讨论，这些讨论在塞内加尔的两个城市郊区进行，旨在了解农民对奶牛养殖的看法。我们的目标是调查农民对当前养殖状况的看法，了解这些看法如何影响该特定系统的未来发展方向，以及这可能如何影响牛群保健服务和疾病控制的可行性和适当方法。收集的数据进行了主题分析，确定了四个主题；1. 受尊崇的牛，2. 畜牧业的变化，3. 无能为力，4. 对未来的乐观。我们研究中的农民与他们的牛有着深厚的感情，他们尊重围绕着养牛的传统，同时也努力在系统内取得进步，提高动物的生产力。在强大的社会群体和等级结构中，他们认识到自己面临的固有挑战，但对未来的牛奶生产的增长和机遇充满希望和乐观。在农民更广泛的运作背景下，整体方法可以成功地嵌入保健服务和疾病控制。这可能涉及为农民考虑供资渠道、获得适当的投入，并利用农民强烈的社区精神和社会规范来启动和促进变革。
