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Nyokabi NS, Phelan L, Gemechu G, Berg S, Mihret A, Wood JLN, Moore HL. Exploring animal husbandry in smallholder dairy systems in Ethiopia using photovoice. Agric Food Secur 2023; 12:16. [PMID: 37334058 PMCID: PMC10264882 DOI: 10.1186/s40066-023-00420-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
This study uses photovoice to explore smallholder dairy farmers' husbandry knowledge and practices and document how they address constraints faced in pursuing their livelihood strategy. Currently, there is a paucity of farmer-led research in Ethiopia which captures farmers' local knowledge and lived experiences. This study was conducted in April and May 2021 in Kaliti, a sub-city of Addis Ababa, and Holeta, located near Addis Ababa, in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. Farmers were selected through purposive and snowball sampling approaches based on their previous participation in a bovine tuberculosis study. Farmers selection was based on their experience in dairy farming and willingness to attend research-related meetings and to engage in photo-taking and subsequent group discussions. Farmers were trained on the use of the digital camera and asked to take pictures of their day-to-day activities, challenges faced in pursuing dairy production and how they overcome these challenges. The pictures taken by farmers indicated their attachment to their cattle, cattle disease symptoms, manure management, pest control practices, cattle housing, feeding practices, milking hygiene and storage. Discussions revealed that husbandry challenges faced stemmed from land-use change, declining farm sizes, poor access to veterinary and animal health services, low milk prices and high cattle feed prices. Farmers explained that they had developed knowledge of cattle nutrition, such as feed ration mixing and ways to deal with manure problems. The results of this study underscore that farmers have a good understanding of husbandry challenges and, additionally, have a wealth of local knowledge which can be leveraged, if captured through participatory and visual research methods, such as photovoice, by policymakers to develop context-aware policies and interventions and recommendations regarding improved practices which are economically viable, and socially and culturally acceptable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ndungu S. Nyokabi
- Institute for Global Prosperity, University College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Stefan Berg
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Adane Mihret
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - James L. N. Wood
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Nyokabi NS, Phelan L, Gemechu G, Berg S, Lindahl JF, Mihret A, Wood JLN, Moore HL. From farm to table: exploring food handling and hygiene practices of meat and milk value chain actors in Ethiopia. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:899. [PMID: 37193991 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15824-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Livestock value chains constitute a source of livelihood for meat and milk value chain actors in Ethiopia, from dairy farmers to other associated value chain actors such as milk traders, abattoir workers, public health officials, veterinarians, butcheries selling meats, milk cooperatives, artisanal milk processors, and transporters. The development of these livestock value chains, however, is constrained by poor food safety and quality, while consumers are also exposed to public health risks due to milk and meat value chain actors' food handling and hygiene practices.This study used Photovoice and participant observation to explore meat and milk value chain actors' food handling and hygiene practices in suburban areas of Addis Ababa and neighbouring Oromia in Ethiopia. The results of this study reveal that milk and meat value chain actors' food handling practices are not aligned with the recommended Ethiopian food safety and quality standards. Low compliance with food safety and quality standards reflected a combination of factors such as lack of incentives, poor road infrastructure and low enforcement of food safety standards.Participatory and visual research methods enable a researcher to collect context-aware data that can lead to the development of policies and intervention strategies that reflect local needs and priorities. The results of this study affirm the need to identify socially acceptable and economically viable policies and intervention strategies that are acceptable to all chain actors; and suggest there is an imperative to train milk and meat value chain actors on good hygiene handling practices, improve road infrastructure, and facilitate access equipment such as fridges and freezers that can contribute to maintaining food safety and quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ndungu S Nyokabi
- Institute for Global Prosperity, University College London, London, UK.
| | | | - Gizachew Gemechu
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Berg
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Johanna F Lindahl
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 582, 75123, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7054, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Adane Mihret
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Henrietta L Moore
- Institute for Global Prosperity, University College London, London, UK
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Nyokabi NS, Lindahl JF, Phelan LT, Berg S, Gemechu G, Mihret A, Wood JLN, Moore HL. Exploring the composition and structure of milk and meat value chains, food safety risks and governance in the Addis Ababa and Oromia regions of Ethiopia. Front Sustain Food Syst 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2023.1085390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Demand for animal-source foods (ASF) is increasing globally, driven by population growth and changing dietary preferences. In global south countries, low compliance with good agricultural practices (GAPs) and food safety standards in the production of ASF is a major public health concern due to the high prevalence of foodborne diseases. This study examines the composition and structure of milk and meat value chains and explores food safety risks and governance in the Addis Ababa and Oromia regions of Ethiopia. Stakeholder discussions, key informant interviews and participant observation were undertaken to collect data on milk and meat value chain actors' perceptions of opportunities and constraints to improving access to safe, high-quality milk and meat products. The results reveal low compliance with rules and standards by milk and meat value chain actors which could compromise food safety and quality and expose consumers to public health risks. There was stricter enforcement of GAPs and food safety standards in the case of milk and meat products destined for export compared to products sold in the local market. The main barriers to compliance with food safety regulations were actors' low knowledge, small profit margins, absence of critical food safety infrastructure such as electricity and road and low access to capital to invest in the recommended equipment such as aluminum containers, coolers and fridges. This paper concludes there is a need for targeted efforts to support the adoption of low-cost technologies that could mitigate food safety risks. Additionally, there is a need for improved communication and tailored training for value chain actors that reflect local social, cultural and economic context to incentivise compliance with rules governing food safety and quality.
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Almaw G, Mihret A, Abebe T, Ameni G, Gumi B, Olani A, Tamiru M, Koran T, Aliy A, Sombo M, Ayalew S, Yesuf A, Taye H, Wood JLN, Berg S, Aseffa A, Tessema B, Belachew B, Fekadu E, Melese F, Gemechu G, Tschopp R, Haile S, Hailu T, Bekele A, Yirga C, Ambaw M, Mamo T, Solomon T, Teklewold T, Gebre S, Gari G, Sahle M, Sirak A, Mekonnen G, Guta S, Wood J, Conlan A, Clarke A, Moore HL, Hodge C, Hewinson RG, Vordermeier M, Nunez‐Garcia J, Bayissa B, Zewude A, Worku A, Terfassa L, Chanyalew M, Mohammed T, Zeleke Y. Spoligotype analysis of
Mycobacterium bovis
isolates from cattle and assessment of zoonotic
TB
transmission among individuals working in bovine
TB
‐infected dairy farms in Ethiopia. Zoonoses Public Health 2022. [PMCID: PMC9544066 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a disease with impact on dairy productivity, as well as having the potential for zoonotic transmission. Understanding the genetic diversity of the disease agent Mycobacterium bovis is important for identifying its routes of transmission. Here we investigated the level of genetic diversity of M. bovis isolates and assessed the zoonotic potential in risk groups of people working in bTB‐infected dairy farms in central Ethiopia. M. bovis was isolated and spoligotyped from tissue lesions collected from slaughtered cattle as well as from raw milk collected from bTB positive cows in dairy farms from six urban areas of central Ethiopia. From consented dairy farm workers, knowledge and practices related to zoonotic TB transmission, together with demographic and clinical information, was collected through interviews. Sputum or Fine Needle Aspirate (FNA) samples were collected from suspected TB cases. Spoligotyping of 55 M. bovis isolates that originated either from cattle tissues with tuberculous lesion or from raw milk revealed seven spoligotype patterns where SB1176 was the most prevalent type (47.3%). Most isolates (89.1%) were of the M. bovis African 2 clonal complex. All sputum and FNA samples from 41 dairy farm workers with symptoms of TB were culture negative for any mycobacteria. Among the 41 TB suspected farm workers, 61% did not know about bTB in cattle and its zoonotic potential, and over two‐third of these workers practiced raw milk consumption. Our spoligotype analysis suggests a wider transmission of a single spoligotype in the study area. The results reported here may be useful in guiding future work to identify the source and direction of bTB transmission and hence design of a control strategy. Isolation of M. bovis from milk, knowledge gap on zoonotic TB and practice of consumption of raw milk in the study population showed potential risk for zoonotic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gizat Almaw
- National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center Sebeta Ethiopia
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences Addis Ababa University Addis Ababa Ethiopia
| | - Adane Mihret
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences Addis Ababa University Addis Ababa Ethiopia
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute Addis Ababa Ethiopia
| | - Tamrat Abebe
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences Addis Ababa University Addis Ababa Ethiopia
| | - Gobena Ameni
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology Addis Ababa University Addis Ababa Ethiopia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Food and Agriculture United Arab Emirates University Al Ain United Arab Emirates
| | - Balako Gumi
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology Addis Ababa University Addis Ababa Ethiopia
| | - Abebe Olani
- National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center Sebeta Ethiopia
| | - Mekdes Tamiru
- National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center Sebeta Ethiopia
| | - Tafesse Koran
- National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center Sebeta Ethiopia
| | - Abde Aliy
- National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center Sebeta Ethiopia
| | - Melaku Sombo
- National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center Sebeta Ethiopia
| | - Sosina Ayalew
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute Addis Ababa Ethiopia
| | - Adem Yesuf
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute Addis Ababa Ethiopia
| | - Hawult Taye
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute Addis Ababa Ethiopia
| | - James L. N. Wood
- Disease Dynamics Unit, Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - Stefan Berg
- Bacteriology Department Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge UK
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Tschopp R, Gemechu G, Wood JLN. A Longitudinal Study of Cattle Productivity in Intensive Dairy Farms in Central Ethiopia. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:698760. [PMID: 34458355 PMCID: PMC8387621 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.698760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethiopia is witnessing an emergence of intensive urban dairy farming. The aims of this study were to capture cattle productivity parameters in selected intensive dairy farms in and around Addis Ababa (Central Ethiopia). The study is a pre-requisite and baseline for further economic analysis of diseases such as bovine tuberculosis (BTB) and to assess some of the current challenges faced by farm owners for optimal animal performances. Hence, a 3-year longitudinal observational study was conducted for the first time in Ethiopia, in 24 dairy farms with intensive husbandry, including a total of 1,705 dairy animals. Herd characteristics, animal movement, and productivity parameters (fertility, morbidity, mortality) were recorded in a herd-book. Whereas, half the farms saw their animals increase in number over the 3 years, 37.5% (mainly large farms) saw their herd size decrease. Offtakes accounted for 76.6% of all animal exits. One hundred and ninety (11.1%) animals died of natural causes. Highest mortality was observed in young stock (13.9%). Overall, diseases were the leading cause for death (57.5%). The majority of calves (69%) that died, did so within the first week of life. Mean calving interval (CI) was 483.2 days. Successful conception after artificial insemination (AI) was 66.1% with Addis Ababa and smaller farms faring worst. Mean time interval from calving to first service was 152 days. Date of birth to first service was 592.2 days and date of birth to first calving was 794.7 days. In conclusion, the study showed sub-optimal productivity performances in intensive dairy cattle and highlighted some of the current gaps and challenges in urban dairy productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rea Tschopp
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,One-Health Unit, Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Gizachew Gemechu
- One-Health Unit, Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - James L N Wood
- Disease Dynamics Unit, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Tschopp R, Conlan AJK, Gemechu G, Almaw G, Hattendorf J, Zinsstag J, Wood JLN. Effect of Bovine Tuberculosis on Selected Productivity Parameters and Trading in Dairy Cattle Kept Under Intensive Husbandry in Central Ethiopia. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:698768. [PMID: 34368283 PMCID: PMC8334357 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.698768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) has substantial impact on fertility, milk, and meat productivity in cattle. However, these assumptions are based on outdated data. Recent global studies on the impact of BTB on cattle productivity are scarce and show sometimes inconclusive and/or contradicting results. This pilot study is the first longitudinal study performed in urban upgraded dairy cattle in Ethiopia that are kept under intensive husbandry. We assessed whether BTB has an impact on various animal productivity parameters and animal movement. Animals (N = 890) included in the study were tested for BTB at least once using the comparative intradermal tuberculin test (CIDT). Fertility, mortality, and offtake were assessed in 21 dairy farms where herd follow-ups over 3 years were performed. In addition, an independent abattoir survey was conducted to assess carcass weight and visible TB-like lesions upon meat inspection. Animal movements (purchasing and offtakes) were documented for each farm. The impact of BTB status on the intervals been birth, service, and calving times and the intercalving intervals was analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model. The hazard ratio associated with BTB-positive animals was smaller than 1 for all fertility parameters, suggesting that BTB status increases the time between events; however, the effect was small and only statistically significant (95% level) for the time between calving and service. Offtakes included a higher percentage of reactor animals (58%) as compared with non-reactor animals (42%) (p = 0.0001). Overall, reactors were eliminated from the farms within 238.6 days after receiving test results, which was 54.9 days faster than for negative animals. The majority of owners purchased animals within their town or its surrounding. Nearly a quarter of reactors were sold directly to other farms. Animals were also sold further away, including other regions, raising the question of disease spread and the need for an animal tracing mechanism. In the abattoir survey, a total of 349 carcasses were weighed, of which 8% showed visible TB-like lesions and 53.6% had fasciolosis. Negative adult bull carcasses were 7.5 kg heavier than reactor bulls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rea Tschopp
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- One-Health Unit, Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Andrew J. K. Conlan
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Disease Dynamics Unit, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Gizachew Gemechu
- One-Health Unit, Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Gizat Almaw
- National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center, Sebeta, Ethiopia
| | - Jan Hattendorf
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jakob Zinsstag
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - James L. N. Wood
- Disease Dynamics Unit, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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