Measuring and interpreting the benefits of goat keeping in tropical farm systems

Bosman, H.G.; Moll, Henri; Udo, H.M.J.

doi:10.1016/s0308-521x(96)00047-9

Cited by 70 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Whole-farm models may provide further understanding of the complex interaction of biophysical and socioeconomic factors relating to intensification and the value chain [65,[94][95][96][97]. For instance, modelling has shown that in dairy cow systems with restricted feed resources, maintaining low milk yields per animal but increasing herd size to improve overall milk yield is a more favourable strategy than attempting to increase the milk yield per animal [98].…”

Section: Future Outlookmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intensification of Mediterranean Goat Production Systems: A Case Study in Northern Morocco

et al. 2016

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Goats are important contributors to both food and financial security of the resource poor, particularly in marginal environments such as those in the Mediterranean region. To fully understand the feasibility and potential consequences of any intensification or husbandry changes that could contribute to higher outputs, it is important to have a thorough prior understanding of the functional dynamics of these systems. Here the current performance of ten goat holdings in the northern region of Morocco, classified as either commercial milk producers, commercial cheese producers or non-commercial dairy producers, was recorded, based on the Food and Agricultural Organisation and International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (FAO-CIHEAM) technical and economic indicators, to assess whether intensification of dairy production was financially viable. Fecundity and prolificacy rates were comparatively lower than those achieved by many European Mediterranean herds. Both kid and doe mortality were higher on commercial dairy holdings, where dairy sales provided an additional, rather than alternative, source of income to goat sales. Despite this, due to significantly higher expenditure on supplementary feed, gross margin per doe did not differ significantly between holding types. With the exception of indigenous Greek herds, all European Mediterranean herds outperform those of northern Morocco. The study suggests that a low level of supplementary feeding is constraining goat dairy production in northern Morocco, and that the current high cost and limited availability of additional supplementary feed restricts the financial viability of intensification. Alternative feeding strategies within a participatory approach that might ameliorate these problems, and value chain constraints, are discussed.

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Section: Future Outlookmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intensification of Mediterranean Goat Production Systems: A Case Study in Northern Morocco

et al. 2016

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“…For example, goats, a natural capital, can be used to generate outputs like meat, milk and manure, which are often a source of income (Ellis 2000). Goats are liquid assets to be used in times of cash need, so for smallholders, goats are an insurance (Bosman et al 1997). Goat management, however, can also lead to the destruction of other capitals.…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the global South, goat husbandry produces more value than single-sided production-economic criteria. Goat husbandry plays a role in financial security, women's empowerment and insurance (Bosman et al 1997;Dossa et al 2008). Furthermore, goat husbandry exemplifies smallholders' agency, referring to smallholders' capacity to act and make choices.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘It is better to herd than be herded’: making a living with goats in the Bajío region, Mexico

et al. 2014

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Goats are renowned for their resilience in harsh environments and their relatively low investment for maintenance. Goat husbandry is thought to be a tool for poverty alleviation. Empirical evidence of this is scant. This research analysed the role of goat husbandry in supporting the livelihoods of smallholders from the Bajío region in Michoacán, Mexico. The Bajío is renowned for the good cropping potential of the land; smallholder goat husbandry is present too but largely unstudied by scholars and ignored by policy makers. The smallholders in the study area deploy a range of assets, natural, physical, social, human and financial, in goat husbandry. Their goat husbandry is dairy-oriented; it is a source of weekly income and insurance and therefore an alternative to out-migration. Farmers' relatively high social capital allows them to access cheap crop residues and take turns herding flocks. The goat dairy market is controlled by a powerful caramel industry. In turn, the margins smallholders obtain are rather limited. The nutritional value of goat milk is not exploited in their households as it is seen as a 'fever' cause, related to brucellosis. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies are based on the sustainable livelihoods approach linked to actor-oriented approaches. The study revealed smallholders' agency by engaging in goat husbandry to deal with a complex institutional and political context dominated by economic liberalization intertwined with local realities such as the agroecology. We emphasize the importance of these findings in development strategies for small-scale goat husbandry systems.

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“…Bosman et al (1997), used CBA to evaluate the nonmarketed benefits (financing, saving and insurance) of goats based on foregone cost perceived as benefits that could be added to the production value of goat. The objective was to measure and interpret benefits of goat keeping in a tropical farming system.…”

Section: Review Of Empirical Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

An assessment of the factors influencing household willingness to pay for non-marketed benefit of cattle in the agro-pastoral systems of Mozambique

Ng'ang'a¹,

Ritho²,

Nzuma³

et al. 2013

Afr. J. Agric. Res.

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This study used Probit model to analyze factors influencing probability of household willingness to pay for non-marketed benefits (NBS) of cattle in Mozambique. The primary data from 184 agro-pastoralist households were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data collected comprised information relating to household demographic, household livelihoods and non-marketed benefits of cattle. The result showed that the probability of household willingness to pay (WTP) was influenced by both animal and household related characteristics. Animal related characteristics that had a significant influence on the probability of households WTP for NMB's of cattle included: Animal age (ANAGE), herd size (HERDSIZE) and cattle breeds (INDBRED). Household related characteristics that had significant (p<0.05) influence on probability of household WTP for NMB's of cattle, comprised: Dependant ratio (DEPRAT), household size (HHS), off-farm income (OFFINC) and distance to the market (DISTMK). As expected, however, the OFFINC had a negative influence on probability of household WTP for NMB's of cattle. The study concluded that non-marketed benefits of cattle were highly valued among agropastoralist in Mabalane district and thus were willing to pay for them.

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Measuring and interpreting the benefits of goat keeping in tropical farm systems

Cited by 70 publications

References 11 publications

Intensification of Mediterranean Goat Production Systems: A Case Study in Northern Morocco

Intensification of Mediterranean Goat Production Systems: A Case Study in Northern Morocco

‘It is better to herd than be herded’: making a living with goats in the Bajío region, Mexico

An assessment of the factors influencing household willingness to pay for non-marketed benefit of cattle in the agro-pastoral systems of Mozambique

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