A cost‐benefit analysis of foot and mouth disease control program for smallholder cattle farmers in Cambodia

Abstract

The Cambodian government is attempting to mobilise government, donor and private sector funding to implement a coordinated FMD vaccination program (FMDVP). A necessary first step is to convince the farmers of the benefits of participating in and potentially financially supporting this program. Information was collected from 300 farmers in order to estimate the on-farm benefits and costs of their participation in an FMDVP.Implementing a successful vaccination program is difficult, and farmers understand from previous experience that there may be institutional, social, technical and financial constraints which limit its success. A benefit-cost analysis needs to take into account that outbreaks do not occur every year, not all cattle will be successfully vaccinated, not all sick animals successfully treated and sometimes sick animals simply sold. This study sensitises these variables in order to give a realistic estimation of the farmer participation benefits in an FMDVP. A general result is that it is worthwhile for farmers to participate in the FMDVP if there are average annual outbreaks, or at least two major outbreaks, in the ensuing 5 years. However, the results are influenced by the interaction of vaccination success and treatment success and coverage. Ineffective coverage and poor treatment of sick animals reduce the benefits of an FMDVP. It is also important that farmers do not sell sick stock and, if they do, that they are able to breed replacements rather than purchase replacements. There are many factors in the smallholder cattle farming system that will influence the success of an FMDVP; farmers will only choose to participate if they can be convinced of the short and long-term economic benefits.

Abattoir-Based Serological Surveillance and Spatial Risk Analysis of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Brucellosis, and Q Fever in Lao PDR Large Ruminants

“…No samples from cattle originating from Thailand were collected in our study, which was similar to our previous study [ 6 ] and indicated that reported livestock transboundary movements from Thailand to Vietnam and China via Lao PDR [ 49 , 50 , 51 ] are not used to supplement the local trade. The movement visualisations showed that some provinces, including Bolikamxai, Luang Namtha, Xiangkhouang, and Vientiane prefecture, sourced animals from longer distances compared to other provinces.…”

Contributions of village animal health workers to foot‐and‐mouth disease control in Cambodia

“…Introducing information into short training programmes for VAHWs and smallholder farmers on the importance of economic losses due to FMD and benefits from disease prevention is considered necessary to improve future vaccination uptake and disease control programmes in Cambodia. The conclusion from the 2013 study confirmed that it is worthwhile for farmers to participate in the full‐fee bi‐annual FMD vaccination programme if there are average annual outbreaks with a morbidity rate of approximately 30% and two major outbreaks with morbidity rate above 50% in the ensuing 5 years (Sieng, Patrick, Walkden‐Brown, & Sar, 2022). This is consistent with conclusions from the 2015 survey that also suggested that improved training of VAHWs could ensure they remain important in supporting the under‐resourced national veterinary services (MacPhillamy et al., 2022).…”

“…Improvement of FMD control requires the cooperation of villagers, VAHWs and village leaders in disease reporting, with either improved funding of government vaccination services and/or development of a private FMD vaccination service. Both strategies should be accompanied by training programmes for farmers on disease transmission and the importance of biosecurity and vaccination, including information on the cost‐benefits of treatment versus full fee bi‐annual FMD vaccination (Sieng, Patrick, Walkden‐Brown, & Sar, 2022; Sieng, Patrick, Windsor, et al., 2022). These initiatives are urgently required in Cambodia if the substantial increase in future FMD vaccination rates currently needed is to be achieved.…”

Technological Acceptance of Cattle Farmers in Mobile Applications for Livestock Digital Marketing

“…According to Kappes et al (2023), the presence of animal diseases in production impacts markets, which is evident through the implementation of trade bans and restrictions. It is imperative to restrict the movement of animals and humans across farms since they can serve as potential disease vectors to mitigate the spread of diseases (Sieng et al, 2022). Due to dealer activity's absence, farmers have encountered challenges in conducting livestock trade.…”