“Everything in this world has been given to us from cows”, a qualitative study on farmers’ perceptions of keeping dairy cattle in Senegal and implications for disease control and healthcare delivery

Craighead, Laura; Cardwell, Jacqueline M.; Prakashbabu, Bhagyalakshmi Chengat; Ba, Elhadji; Musallam, Imadidden; Alambédji, Rianatou Bada; Ayih-Akakpo, Justin; Guitian, Javier; Häsler, Barbara

Abstract

The dairy industry in Senegal is growing and evolving against a backdrop of rapid urbanisa-tion 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 PLOS ONE

Citation

Craighead, L., Cardwell, J. M., Prakashbabu, B. C., Ba, E., Musallam, I., Alambédji, R. B., …Häsler, B. (in press). “Everything in this world has been given to us from cows”, a qualitative study on farmers’ perceptions of keeping dairy cattle in Senegal and implications for disease control and healthcare delivery. PLoS ONE, 16(2), e0247644. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247644

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 10, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Feb 25, 2021
• Deposit Date: Mar 1, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 5, 2021
• Journal: PLOS ONE
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 2
• Pages: e0247644
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247644
• Keywords: General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology; General Agricultural and Biological Sciences; General Medicine
• Public URL: https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1444128
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247644