Authors : 2Mulumba Kamuanga 1, 1Jacques Somda , 1William F. Snow and 1Constance I. Mugalla
Abstract: Mulumba Kamuanga, Jacques Somda, William F. Snow and Constance I. Mugalla Tsetse control with topical applications of pyrethroid insecticide to cattle in the Central River Division (CRD) of The Gambia was successful in reducing trypanosomosis in village N`Dama cattle. The experiments that included 700 cattle in 5 villages (1994-95, grazing 90 km2) treated with deltamethrin spray twice monthly; and 2300 cattle in 15 villages (1996-97, grazing 265 km2) treated with pour-on, were conducted with knapsack sprayers. Experiment results and follow up socio-economic surveys helped to estimate the impacts and benefits of the intervention and ascertain farmers` perceptions of the changes in productivity. Reproductive performance traits were assessed from data collected in health and productivity monitoring studies. The intervention resulted in a reduction of Glossina m. submorsitans numbers of 17% (spray) and 33% (pour-on); the challenge fell by 68% compared with 11% in the non-intervention area over the first period. The use of trypanocides (80% of the households) was not affected by the intervention, although the numbers of users among trial participants decreased over the 1994-97 period. Productivity estimates indicated 5.2 kg/animal in weight gain for treated animals and 60.2% increase in calving rates, implying a positive impact on reproductive performance. The trend in milk production failed to support the hypothesis of increased yield as a benefit of tsetse control. The costs of control for an average farmer raising 60 cattle were compared to benefits in a partial budget approach, pointing to an average net benefit per farmer of US$563 for spray users and US$454 in pour-on, with marginal rates of returns of 285% and 235%, respectively. This translates into benefits per TLU of about US$11 for spray and $9 for pour-on. The impacts of trypanosomosis on the N`Dama breeds was moderated by their tolerance of the disease and both financial and economic benefits of the intervention were less striking than in a situation with tyrpanosusceptible breeds. Farmers perceived advantages and disadvantages in using sprays and pour-on. The sustainability of the benefits remained an important aspect and a condition of technology adoption, particularly with the acquisition and maintenance of the knapsack sprayers, timely delivery of the insecticides and reliability of delivery services.
1,2Mulumba Kamuanga , 1Jacques Somda , 1William F. Snow and 1Constance I. Mugalla , 2004. Socio-Economic Analysis of Tsetse Control Experiments in The Central River Division, The Gambia: Impacts and Farmers` Perceptions . Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences, 2: 162-170.