The Productivity and Health of Traditionally Managed Cattle in Monze District of Zambia: Results of a Questionnaire Survey

Original article

Mutsuyo KADOHIRA1 and Kenny SAMUI2

1: International Cooperation Center for Agricultural Education , Nagoya University, Fuso-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8601 Japan 2 : School of Veterinary Medicine , University of Zambia, P, O. BOX 32379, Lusaka, Zambia

(Received 25 October, 2001/Accepted 30 November, 2001)

Summary A questionnaire survey was conducted in order to gather data on animal production and health of traditional cattle farmers in the Monze district of Zambia. After stratifying areas by grazing patterns, a two-stage cluster sampling method was used to randomly select areas and farms. The survey started from February and ended in June 1998 and a total of eight areas and 125 farms were included in the study. An average cattle herd size was 24, cows having the highest proportion (48 %), followed by oxen (18 %), calves (18 %), heifers (14 %) and bulls (3 %). Twenty-two percent of farmers took their cattle to the Kafue Flats for grazing in the dry season. About 70 % attempted to control ticks. The average general and calf mortality rates were both 32 %. Corridor disease could be the main reason for such high mortality rates. General fertility, offtake and intake rates on average were 57 %, 13 % and 2 %, respectively.

Key words: Africa, cattle, traditional sector

100), the highest offtake rate and a relatively high calving INTRODUCTION rate have been reported in Namwala district, followed by The research was planned to focus on one of the major Monze, which share the Flats7) . However, the highest traditionally managed cattle populations in Zambia, found calf mortality rate in the rainy season has also been around the Kafue Flats in the Southern Province (Figure reported in Namwala and Monze : 21 % and 25%), 1). The Flats form a large, annually flooded plain with a respectively, where the majority of herds graze on the total area of 7,000 square km. It is estimated to have a Flats during the dry season7). grazing capacity of about 700,000 head of cattle, Approximately 70 % of the calves are born while the approximately a quarter of the total national herd 3). The cattle are grazing on the Flats under relatively tick-free area is administered by the local chiefs and has been conditions brought about by the seasonal flooding as well exclusively reserved for cattle grazing in the dry season. as the seasonal grass burning practice7). These calves, The Flats could be among the best cattle rearing areas of therefore, may not receive the necessary tick challenge Zambia and has the largest average herd size (more than required to develop resistance against tick-borne diseases found in the highlands during the rainy season. While in the Flats, these calves acquire heavy ecto and endo 連絡先:〒464-0814名古屋市千種区不老町 parasitic burdens which weaken their natural resistance 名古屋大学農学国際教育協力研究センター towards diseases in general and tick-borne ones in Tel:052-789-4599 Fax:052-789-4222 E-mail:[email protected] particular. The Flats are also a habitat to Kafue lechwe, 70 獣医疫学雑誌 No.269-76.2001

Figure 1. A map of Monze district, showing the location of the eight study areas .

zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and kudu. Communal grazing at and production data is summarized and presented. high concentrations of cattle, which share the pasture on the Flats with large numbers of wild ruminants, was MATERIALS AND METHODS considered to be the main reason for the high prevalence 1. Sampling method of bovine viral diarrhea, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis There are 20 veterinary camps, in which a veterinary and brucellosis 8). Apart from that, soil borne diseases assistant is posted, in Monze district. Approximately half such as blackquarter and hemorrhagic septicemia are also of the traditional farmers rear cattle. Using the 1996 common as are mosquito-borne diseases especially Rift Monze district annual report all veterinary camps in the Valley fever. These diseases are associated with the District were listed. Then these camps were divided into decrease in animal production such as reproductive three strata based on their grazing patterns as follows disorders (eg. abortion and still birth), weight loss and (1) camps that are located near the Flats and the cattle death. graze on the Flats in the dry season (6 camps) ; (2) camps Thus, it would be of interest to have an integrated that are located along the interface between the Flats and assessment of the agricultural communities around the highlands and some herds graze on the Flats in the dry Flats. In this assessment, data will be collected at both the season (5 camps) ; and (3) camps that are located on the ecological area level and the farm level. As the first step, highlands and cattle never graze on the Flats (9 camps). a questionnaire survey was conducted in Monze district, Five of the camps had no veterinary assistants. one of the communities around the Flats, The objective of According to the 1996 Monze district annual report, the the survey was to gather data on animal production and total cattle population in each of the three group was : (1) health, and the socio-economic status of traditional cattle 24,888 (2) 27,949 and (3) 18,613, respectively. The total farmers. In this paper, only the section of animal health numbers of cattle in stratum (1) and (2) were not very The Productivity and Health of Traditionally Managed Cattle in Monze District of Zambia : Results of a Questionnaire Survey 71

different and (3) had the smallest. Three veterinary Calf mortality rate : (number of deaths of calves aged 0- camps were purposely selected in stratum (1) since only 12 months)/(number of live births) three veterinary assistants were posted among six camps. General fertility rate : (number of live births)/( average Then three and two veterinary camps, proportional to the number of cows of reproductive age) total cattle populations, were randomly selected from Crude live birth rate : (number of live births)/(average strata (2) and (3),. A total of eight camps were included NAR*) in the survey ; namely Bweengwa, Nakansangwe and Offtake rate : (number of cattle sold)/(average NAR*) Keemba (stratum 1) ; Hafwa, Hamavwa and Kayuni (2) ; Intake rate : (number of cattle purchased)/(average and Njola and Katimba (3) (Figure 1). Using a random NAR*) number table, 20 farms were randomly selected in each RESULTS camp by a simple random sampling method from a complete list of traditional cattle farmers, which was Approximately half of the farmers in Nakansangwe and created based on the 1996 animal census. This was used Bweengwa, respectively, and 70 % of the farmers in for selecting farmers in each veterinary camp (except Keemba practiced seasonal grazing. A total of 125 Njola where the 1994 census data was used as there were farmers were visited for the survey. Actual interviews no records in 1995 and 1996). began on 9th February 1998 and ended on 17th June 1998 and it took approximately 8 weeks to complete the survey. 2. Questionnaire and estimating herd health and production parameters 1. Cattle health and management The questionnaire consisted of approximately 90 The proportions of bulls, cows, heifers, oxen and calves questions grouped into sections as follows : general were similar among all study areas (Table 1). The agricultural activities, socio-economic status, human largest proportion was that of cows (48 %), followed by health, animal inventory, cattle health and production and oxen and calves (18 % each), then heifers (14 %) and environmental factors. Only the section of animal health bulls (3 %). Herd sizes by area are significantly different and production data is summarized and presented in this (p<0.05). The largest average herd size was 66 in paper. A commercial software (STATISTIX 3.1, St. Paul, Bweenga, followed by 37 in Kayuni. In other areas, half USA) was used to summarize data. the farmers had approximately 10 cattle with an overall For estimating herd health and production parameters, average of 24. the following information was collected : herd structure One third of the farmers had purchased at least one such as number of bulls, cows, heifers, oxen and calves, animal in the last 12 months and about 11 % of the number of cattle purchased and sold, number of all farmers bought cattle every year. The average years of deaths, number of calves born alive, and number of calves cattle rearing experience were similar among all areas aged 0-12 months that died. The number of events (ie. death and birth etc.) that occurred in the last 12 months were recorded and used as the numerator as well as the Table 1. Average herd structure of traditionally managed cattle denominator for estimating calf mortality rates. The rates in the eight study areas, Monze district, Zambia. were estimated as follows 9).

General mortality rate : (number of all deaths)/(average NAR*)

Footnotes : *The average number at risk (average NAR) was calculated by adding the number of animals at risk at the beginning of the time period (12 months before the farm visit) to the number at risk at the end (the time at the actual farm visit), dividing the sum by 2. 72 獣医疫学雑誌 No.269-76.2001

(p>0.05) and the overall average was 27 years. At night, joined the herd for grazing at 3-6 months. However, all cattle were kept in a kraal located next to their houses. some farmers paid no attention to calf management at all. Twenty-two percent (22 %) of the farmers took their cattle Calf mortality rates varied from area to area; Hufwa had to the Kafue Flats in the dry season. It is mostly the sons the highest (73 %), followed by Katimba (44 %) and who were responsible for grazing cattle around farms. Kayuni (10 %). The overall average mortality was 32% Most farmers, except a few in Kayuni, could not afford to (Table 2). Farmers claimed that high calf mortality was buy either concentrates or supplementary feeds. Eighty- due to corridor disease. four percent (84 %) watered their cattle at natural water Dairy production levels differed from area to area. sources such as dams/rivers while the rest used Bweengwa and Kayuni had the highest levels at 7 and 10 boreholes. The average distance to such water sources litres per day per farm, respectively. Half of the farmers was 1-5 km, however, some farmers had to use alternative in other areas produced 5 litres per day in relatively water sources located at further distances when the local higher production areas and the rest produced 2 litres. water sources dried up in the dry season. The overall average was 4.5 litres. Only 12 % of the

About 70 % of the farmers attempted to control ticks. interviewed farmers sold milk while the rest of them

Of them, 56% sprayed their cattle and 14% used consumed milk at home because they did not have diptanks. Of the farmers who controlled ticks, half surpluses. At Kayuni, 60 % of those who had milking applied tick control once a week, 15 % twice in a week ; cows sold milk either to a small holder dairy association and 21 % once every 2 weeks in the rainy season. Half of (farmers cooperative) in Monze town or neighbors at 500 them changed the frequency of application according to Kwacha (equivalent of one bottle of Coca Cola) per litre. seasons with frequency usually increasing in the rainy Prior to milking, 92 % of the farmers washed their hands, season. For example, they applied control measures but only 42 % washed udder/teats. Thirty-six percent once a week in the rainy season, but once in every two (36 %) of farmers with milking cows experienced mastitis weeks in the dry season. Almost all knew that•g cases at least once. corridor disease•hwas one of the tick-borne diseases None of the farmers used artificial insemination. At caused by Theileria parva, but they had no knowledge of least half of the farmers practiced some form of bull the other tick-borne diseases. Thirty-eight percent selection by keeping their own bulls at home or

(38 %) of the farmers used vaccination as a preventive borrowing neighbors' or relatives' bulls. The rest did medicine against blackquarter, hemorrhagic septicemia, not care about the quality of bulls and the female animals and anthrax. The same number of farmers (38 %) mated any bulls when grazing on communal pasture. dewormed their cattle at least once or twice a year. General fertility, crude livebirth, offtake and intake rates Twelve percent (12%) of the farmers kept records are summarized in Table 2. General fertility rates varied concerning health and production of their livestock.

Corridor disease seemed to be the most serious problem although many cases were not diagnosed. Mortality was Table 2. Health and productivity parameters of traditionally managed cattle in the eight study areas, Monze reportedly higher in 1996 than in 1997. General district, Zambia. mortality rates in 1997 were also very high, ranging from

13% to 59%, with an overall average of 32%.

2. Cattle production

Approximately one quarter to one third of farms had abortion cases with abortion occurring in either the early

(2-3 months) or later (7-9 months) stage of pregnancy.

Cows calved either in a kraal or in the bush. Farmers rarely helped calving. About 24 % farmers had special shelters for new borne calves while others restrained calves in the kitchen but after birth. Calves usually The Productivity and Health of Traditionally Managed Cattle in Monze District of Zambia : Results of a Questionnaire Survey73

from area to area. About 60 % of cows had calves. diversity in the distribution of the sampled farms in each Overall offtake was 13 %, but offtake rates ranged from study area. the lowest (4 %) in Katimba to the highest (19 %) in During the 1981-1982 period, corridor disease spread Keemba. However, intake rates were similar in all the throughout Monze district for the first time. The second eight study areas with an overall average rate of 2 %. wave of outbreaks hit the District between 1990 and 1997, Almost all of the oxen were trained for plowing a field. after the introduction of infection and treatment method They are castrated at around 6 months of age on average using the Muguga cocktail between 1985 and 1993. The by either veterinary assistants or the owners. overall average general and calf mortality rates in Monze district were both 32 % and are much higher than 2-6% 3. Environmental factors and 4-7 % in Lusaka province5) and 4-7 % and 4-22 % Albizia versicolor (Mububa in Tonga, local language elsewhere in Zambia7). Although no thorough spoken in Monze district) is found throughout Zambia 1). investigation have been conducted, corridor disease could The leaves are browsed by elephants and buffalos, but are be the main reason for such high mortality rates in both reportedly toxic to cattle. Unripe pods and seeds are adult and calf populations. By area, these mortality rates undoubtedly poisonous to both cattle and buffalo and ranged from 13 % to 59 % and 10 % to 73 %, respectively. though they are not normally eaten, they are likely to be The rates were highest in Hufwa (59 % and 73 %) where when high winds blow off the pods before the seeds have corridor disease had spread for the first time in 1997. been shed. It may be wise to eliminate the tree entirely About 70 % of the farmers have attempted to control ticks, from pasture areas. Thirty-eight percent (38 %) of the but control methods were neither appropriate (eg. they farmers were aware of the existence of such a poisonous might have skipped tick control sessions during the high tree. Several farmers experienced actual fatal cases due risk season) nor effective. Therefore, there is an need to to mububa either on their own farms or on neighbors'. provide an appropriate control strategy against corridor Large mammals such as lechwe and kudu were seen in disease and other tick-borne diseases to these farmers. the rainy season in Bweengwa, Keemba and The authors did not receive any complaints of Nakansangwe. Farmers had never seen tsetse flies, but blackquarter and hemorrhagic septicemia cases during claimed that there were too many ticks. About 78% the survey. This could be because these water-borne complained about dryness and 65 % thought there was diseases are not so prevalent or it might mean that regular not enough water for agricultural purposes. About 82 % vaccination prevents them from killing animals. Those were satisfied with the amount of forage available for farmers who vaccinate their cattle also tend to deworm cattle. Soil in Monze is sandy clay in all traditional them. About 40 % of the farmers in Monze district seem farming areas. to be willing to spend money on prevention of animal diseases and this percentage is much higher than that in DISCUSSION Lusaka province 5). A two-stage cluster sampling method combined with Only a few farmers in the settlement area in Kayuni stratification by grazing patterns was used to select areas provided supplementary feeds to their cattle. Their and farms. A similar method has been used in Lusaka animals grazed in fenced paddocks and were watered province, Zambia 5) and in Kenya 4,6). Since it is easy to from boreholes. These management systems might create lists of larger groups of clusters such as ecological have contributed to lower rates of general and calf areas and veterinary camps, but not the lists of individual mortality in the area. General fertility rates among study farmers, this is a very practical and appropriate method areas in Monze district ranged from 38% to 94% that could fit the prevailing Zambian veterinary compared to Lusaka province (49 % to 74 % 5) ) and in infrastructure. Sampled farms well represented the other parts of Zambia (44 % to 80 %7)) . However, calf reference population in each area. This statement is mortality rates were high because of poor calf supported by the evidence shown that there is some management and prevalent infectious diseases (mainly similarity in the average herd size of the 1996 animal corridor disease). Condition of animals, particularly census (sampling list) and that of sampled farms, and the pregnant cows, was not carefully checked on a daily basis 74 獣医疫学雑誌 No.269-76.2001 and abortions were reported from one third of the farms. plants should be carried out and educational materials be By improving such management practice, numbers of calf prepared for extension worker and farmers. One of the mortality and abortion cases could be reduced and negative effects of grazing cattle on the Flats is the consequently the production levels would be increased. contact with wild ruminants such as kudu and lechwe, Production of milk was not an important source of which may transmit diseases common to both domestic income for farmers in Monze district although a and wild ruminants. These wild animals also grazed in government study reported that income from milk Bweengawa, Keemba and Nakansangwe areas during the production was important in the Southern Province 2). rainy season and cattle in these three areas could come However, with proper infrastructure, it could be possible into contact with wild animals despite having no history of for traditional farmers to gain more from milk production. seasonal grazing on the Flats. Another disadvantage is For example, there were buyers from Mazabuka who that no ticks are present on the Flats and animals lose the collect milk from cows that graze on the Flats. Cattle necessary pre-exposure to infected ticks during the dry grazers there were able to sell milk because of the season. Cattle need to have intensive dipping in the first absence of the majority of family members who consumed few weeks immediately after they return to usual grazing the milk when their cattle were not on the Flats. Also it areas where many infected ticks exist. Again, cattle is possible that once such an infrastructure is established, farmers should be aware that there are advantages to the some farmers might be willing to accept the use of environmental influence of the Kafue Flats and its use. artificial insemination for improving breeds based on the merit of improving milk production. However, the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS majority should maintain the traditional breeds due to The authors would like to thank the veterinary their resistance against infectious diseases at least, until assistants in the eight study areas and Dr. Chitalu, District efficient and cheaper disease control strategies are Veterinary Officer in Monze for their assistance during introduced to farmers. the field work. We are also grateful to JICA for providing Offtake rates in the eight study areas ranged from 4 % transportation and necessary expenses for the study. to 19 % with an overall average of 13 %. In previous studies conducted in Lusaka province 5) and other province REFERENCES of Zambia ", offtake rates were 8 % to 10 % and 2 % to 1) Anonymous: Know your trees - some of the 7%, respectively. However, these figures show that, common trees found in Zambia. Regional Soil despite such a high mortality, farmers in the District are Conservation Unit, Nairobi, 1995. likely to sell a larger number of cattle compared to other 2) Anonymous: Tick and tick-borne disease control parts of the country. It is therefore possible that with a strategy. Department of Research and Specialist reduction in calf mortality and abortion cases, farmers in Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Monze could obtain surpluses and hence increase the Lusaka, 1998 (unpublished report). number of sales. As for intake rates, the average annual 3) Ghirotti, M. et al.: Sero-prevalences of selected rate was 2 %, indicating that the majority of farmers in the diseases in the Kafue Flats of Zambia. Vet. Res. District rarely purchase cattle. This might be due to the Commu., 15, 25-36, 1991. large proportion of cows (48 %) compared to that (36%) 4) Kadohira, M. et al.: Assessing infections at multiple in Lusaka province 5). Another reason could be corridor levels of aggregation. Prey. Vet. Med., 29, 161-177, disease that kills many cows thereby discouraging 1996. farmers from purchasing new animals because of their 5) Kadohira, M. et al.: The health and productivity of fear of losing them again. traditionally managed cattle in Lusaka Province, Concerning environmental factors, farmers should be Zambia: Results of questionnaire survey. Zam. J. Vet. made aware of the presence of poisonous trees and plants. Scie., 1 , 11-20, 1996. In Monze district, mububa is one such tree and only 40 % 6) Kadohira, M. et al.: Sampling strategies for disease of the farmers seemed to know about it. There may be studies in tropical countries: examples of multi-stage other plants that are toxic to cattle. A survey of such The Productivity and Health of Traditionally Managed Cattle in Monze District of Zambia: Results of a Questionnaire Survey75

cluster sampling and its application in Zambia and Kenya. Epidemiol. Sante Anim., 31-32,02.A.15, 1997. 7) Perry, B.D. et al.: A study of health and productivity of traditionally managed cattle in Zambia. Prey. Vet. Med., 2, 633-653,1984. 8) Stafford, K. et al.: Utilization of the Kafue lechwe for meat. Bull. Anim. Prod. Air., 40, 93-96, 1992. 9) Thrusfield, M.: Veterinary Epidemiology, 2nd edition. 47-48,Blackwell Science, London, 1995. 76 獣医疫学雑誌 No.269-76.2001

原著

ザンビア国モンゼ県で飼育されている伝統牛の生産性と飼養管理状況 :質問表調査の結果

門平睦代1,Kenny SAMUI2

1:名古屋大学農学国際教育協力研究センター,〒464-8601名古屋市千種区不老町 2:ザンビア大学獣医学部,ザンビア国ルサカ市

ザンビア国モンゼ県に住む伝統牛を飼育する小規模農であった。また,約70%の農民はダニの駆除を実施し家を対象に,質問表を使い牛の飼養管理状況と生産性にていた。全体の死亡率と子牛の死亡率は共に32%であ関する調査を実施した。放牧パターンにより地域を3つり,コリドー病が死亡の一番の原因であると推測した。に分けた後,各地域内では2段階クラスター無作為抽出繁殖率,売却と購入率の平均値は,それぞれ,57%, 方法を使い農家を選んだ。この調査は1998年の2月か 13%と2%であった。ら6月にかけて行われ,125軒の農家を訪問して口頭で情報を収集した。牛飼育頭数の平均は24頭で,その内訳は雌牛48%,去勢牛18%,子牛18%,未経産牛14% と種牛3%であった。22%の農民がカフエ平地を乾期の放牧地として使っていたが,平地周辺に住む住民だけ