Reducing vulnerability to hazards is a major challenge for pastoral settlements in the dry lands of sub-Saharan Africa. Accumulation of a stock of living animals is a major means of livelihood security that pastoralists use to cope with their constraints, amongst which is high environmental variability. Diversification and long-distance mobility are other means of livelihood security, implying specific family organization. We analysed the combination of these means in ensuring the livelihood security of 508 familial settlements in the rural community of Ferlo, Tessekre (Senegal). At least 40% of the settlements surveyed were small pastoral families, composed of one or two households with small herds (less than 50 cows and 50 sheep). Herds were the major means of livelihood security, but due to lack of a sufficient labour and other assets, the situation of these impoverished families was very precarious. In 28% of the settlements, families combined livestock, crops and non-farming activities as livelihood means. The remaining 32% of the settlements were pastoral settlements supported by large cattle herds and, in many cases, the production of Aïd el Kebir rams (for the major Muslim religious event). Non-farming activities were also present in these settlements with large herds, especially activities in the livestock trade. Diversification can reinforce the function of herds as savings accounts and might also enable the pastoralists to invest in livestock activities. There were three groups of settlements based on the characterization of livelihood security strategies used by pastoral herders. Over time, pastoralists have to utilize several means of security to cope with climatic shocks such as droughts, and familial events such as the death of the familial chief. Family organization (dispersal or grouping), diversification and mobility are important means used to recover after major losses of animals.
Despite being of debatable efficacy, alternative medicines are in regular use on both organic and conventional dairy farms as part of a strategy for limiting the on-farm use of antibiotics. The study presented here examined French dairy farmers' understanding of and experiences with these medicines, focusing on homeopathy, aromatherapy and phytotherapy. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach combining animal science and sociology, we considered how dairy farmers' use of alternative medicines fits into a holistic approach to herd health management, on the one hand, and into farmers' networks of professional relationships, on the other. Our findings show that farmers are interested in alternative medicines for reasons that are at once technical, ethical, and economic. In the absence of local veterinarians specializing in homeopathy and aromatherapy, farmers enroll in short-term training courses to learn how to use these medicines. Alternative medicines are not a substitute for conventional medicine for these farmers; rather, they constitute one part of a holistic approach to herd health that combines preventive measures with a variety of curative treatments, and which is grounded in close attention to the animals' state of health. Farmers make use of guidelines for observing livestock that are central to the veterinary alternative medicine approach. Interestingly, women farmers appear to play an important role in introducing these practices into the management of the farm operation. Finally, farmers' interest in alternative medicines is indicative of their broader expectations for advice and support in moving toward the integrated management of livestock health, a key element of the agroecological transition. Recognizing these expectations offers useful insights for rethinking the role of veterinarians in dairy farming.
La gestion intégrée de la santé animale peut être définie comme l’ensemble des connaissances et pratiques mobilisées par l’homme de manière coordonnée afin de favoriser la construction, préserver ou retrouver la santé des individus ou du troupeau au sein du système d'élevage. Elle a pour finalité d’optimiser la santé animale et le cycle de production tout en réduisant l’utilisation des antibiotiques et des antiparasitaires qui pose des problèmes de résistance chez les animaux et les humains. Elle se fonde sur la mobilisation conjointe de trois principes complémentaires : (P1) prévenir l’apparition des maladies en limitant les situations à risques et le contact avec les éléments nuisibles (agents pathogènes, éléments toxiques), (P2) utiliser des animaux résistants ou développer leurs capacités adaptatives, (P3) soigner les animaux de façon ciblée (molécule, dose, durée). La santé se construit tout au long de la vie de l’animal pour garantir un développement harmonieux et l’intégrité physique des individus. De nombreux leviers d’action, regroupés en six dimensions (1-milieu de vie des animaux, 2-gestion de la reproduction, 3-gestion des troupeaux, 4-choix et pratiques avec les animaux, 5-alimentation et 6-pilotage de l’élevage) ont été identifiés pour atteindre cet objectif. Ces leviers peuvent avoir sur la santé un effet direct, différé, ou bien intergénérationnel. Une mobilisation cohérente de nombreux leviers a permis de réduire fortement l’usage des antibiotiques au cours des dernières années mais une marge de progrès est encore possible pour les systèmes d’élevages des monogastriques. De plus, le développement de systèmes d’élevage en phase avec les demandes sociétales (respect du bien-être animal, circuits courts et locaux, accès à l’extérieur) pose de nouveaux défis pour une gestion intégrée de la santé animale.
Stratégies pastorales de sécurisation chez les Peuls du Ferlo (Sén égal) RésuméChez les pasteurs peuls du Ferlo, les liens socio-économiques et symboliques entre le campement et son troupeau bovin connaissent de grands changements, marqués notamment par le rôle économique croissant des petits ruminants. Différents modes de gestion se mettent en place qui renvoient à des stratégies de protection contre les risques.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.