Analysis of Pig Marketing in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study examines the profitability and efficiency of pig marketing in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. A market survey of 50 pig traders from an urban market (Katsit) and two rural markets (Zonkwa and Samaru Kataf) was conducted to evaluate the structure, conduct and performance of the markets. Data were collected from the respondents through the use of a structured questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using Gini Coefficient, marketing margin and marketing efficiency. Empirical finding indicated that producer's share of what the final consumer paid was high (61%). The average marketing margin was 39%. The retailers had higher market margin than the wholesalers. The margin at Katsit (41.5%) was higher than Zonkwa (36.74%) and Samaru-Kataf (38.5%). Katsit market was more efficient than both Zonkwa and Samaru markets. Pig marketing is therefore, profitable but inefficient as shown by the market margin and efficiency analyses. The pig market was found to be oligopolistic. There were many buyers and sellers. Entry into marketing of pigs was easy except for the high size of operating capital. The market was found to be vertically integrated as various participants played some other roles besides their principal roles. Flow of information was free and widespread between assemblers and wholesalers. The market structures measured by Gini Coefficient of 0.59 for wholesalers and 0.66 for retailers indicated that there was a high degree of concentration in the market. The problems confronting pig marketers were also highlighted

Interspecies interactions and potential Influenza A virus risk in small swine farms in Peru

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The recent avian influenza epidemic in Asia and the H1N1 pandemic demonstrated that influenza A viruses pose a threat to global public health. The animal origins of the viruses confirmed the potential for interspecies transmission. Swine are hypothesized to be prime "mixing vessels" due to the dual receptivity of their trachea to human and avian strains. Additionally, avian and human influenza viruses have previously been isolated in swine. Therefore, understanding interspecies contact on smallholder swine farms and its potential role in the transmission of pathogens such as influenza virus is very important.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This qualitative study aimed to determine swine-associated interspecies contacts in two coastal areas of Peru. Direct observations were conducted at both small-scale confined and low-investment swine farms (n = 36) and in open areas where swine freely range during the day (n = 4). Interviews were also conducted with key stakeholders in swine farming.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In both locations, the intermingling of swine and domestic birds was common. An unexpected contact with avian species was that swine were fed poultry mortality in 6/20 of the farms in Chancay. Human-swine contacts were common, with a higher frequency on the confined farms. Mixed farming of swine with chickens or ducks was observed in 36% of all farms. Human-avian interactions were less frequent overall. Use of adequate biosecurity and hygiene practices by farmers was suboptimal at both locations.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Close human-animal interaction, frequent interspecies contacts and suboptimal biosecurity and hygiene practices pose significant risks of interspecies influenza virus transmission. Farmers in small-scale swine production systems constitute a high-risk population and need to be recognized as key in preventing interspecies pathogen transfer. A two-pronged prevention approach, which offers educational activities for swine farmers about sound hygiene and biosecurity practices and guidelines and education for poultry farmers about alternative approaches for processing poultry mortality, is recommended. Virological and serological surveillance for influenza viruses will also be critical for these human and animal populations.</p

Economics of Swine Prodcution in Jama'a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

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Economics of Swine Marketing in Kafanchan (Katsit)Market, Jama'a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

A market survey of 30 swine traders in Kafanchan was conducted to evaluate the structure, conduct and performance of the market. Although there were many sellers and buyers and no collusion, Lorenz curve analyses showed that 30% of all traders handled 74% of the sales. The Gini coefficient was also high (0.53), indicating gross inequality in size distribution and seller concentration, hence oligopoly. Analyses also showed that the market is vertically integrated. Cost of transportation (N100 / animal) was the highest of the marketing services, representing 50.4%. Total cost of marketing services (N198.26 /animal) was a small proportion (6.5%) of final sale price. Estimated gross margin was N742.36/animal) which was 24.2% of the sale price. The only element of barrier that existed was the high operating capital required. Price determination was by haggling and no standardization of product existed. The need and means of improving the nature of competition are highlighted. Key words: Swine, market structure, conduct, performance, barrie

Socio-economic factors influencing small ruminants management practices in Kaduna State

Socio-economic factors influencing small ruminants management practices in Kaduna State were investigated. One hundred and twenty questionnaires were administered to randomly selected small ruminants farmers in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State. Tools of analysis include descriptive statistics, the Pearson's correlation and stepwise regression procedures. Analysis revealed that certain socio-economic characteristics of respondents such as age, income, flock size, investment, veterinary visits, education, number of small ruminants started with, household size and experience are significantly related to small ruminant management practices. All the predictive variables (age, income, flock size, investment, etc.) contribute about 44% of the variance with household size, stock-owner's experience and number of small ruminants started with, contributing 29.6% of the variance. Constraints with small ruminants production were more of management. Key words: Small ruminants; socio-economics; management practices; constraints Moor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol.4(2) 2003: 274-28

Urban and peri-urban family-based pig-keeping in Cambodia : Characteristics, management and perceived benefits and constraints

Keeping pigs in urban and peri-urban areas may not only provide many benefits for the urban households, but may also be challenging and a potential health hazard. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to describe household characteristics and to evaluate perceived benefits and constraints among pig-keepers in the urban and peri-urban areas of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The study included 204 households and a structured questionnaire was used to interview the household member responsible for taking care of the pigs. Descriptive analyses showed that most households kept between 5 and 15 pigs and that all households kept their pigs in confinement. About 97% of the households owned the pigs themselves and the pigs were generally managed by female household members (43%). Pigs were mainly kept for commercial purposes and more than 60% of the households stated that income from pig-keeping was the main or one of the main sources of revenue for the household. More than 82% reported that they had experienced disease outbreaks among their pigs during the past three years and disease outbreaks were more commonly reported in households with lower socio-economic position (P = 0.025). Disease outbreaks were considered one of the main constraints, along with expensive feed and low payment prices for the slaughter pigs, but few households considered sanitary or other public health issues problematic. Thus, pig-keeping makes an important contribution to the livelihoods of urban and peri-urban households, but many households face external constraints on their production, such as diseases and low revenues, which may have a negative impact on their livelihoods

Dietary intake of subjects with diabetes is inadequate in Switzerland: the CoLaus study.

To characterize the dietary intake of subjects aged 40-80 years according to self-reported diabetes and presence of an anti-diabetic diet. Cross-sectional study conducted between 2009 and 2012 on 4289 participants (2274 women) living in Lausanne. Of the 299 (7 %) participants with self-reported diabetes, only 151 (51 %) reported an anti-diabetic diet. Compared to participants not reporting diabetes, participants with self-reported diabetes (with or without a diet) had a higher consumption of artificial sweeteners (0.3 ± 0.7 vs. 0.4 ± 0.8 and 0.8 ± 1.0 times/day) and a lower consumption of honey/jam (mean ± standard deviation: 0.5 ± 0.5 vs. 0.4 ± 0.4 and 0.4 ± 0.4 times/day) or sugar (0.6 ± 0.9 vs. 0.4 ± 0.7 and 0.2 ± 0.5 times/day) for participants not reporting diabetes, participants with self-reported diabetes not on a diet and on a diet, respectively. Compared to participants not on a diet, participants on a diet had a higher consumption of vegetables (1.8 ± 1.3 vs. 1.4 ± 1.0 portions/day), while no differences were found regarding all other food groups and nutrients. Participants with self-reported diabetes on a diet had a higher consumption of meat (5.6 ± 3.6 vs. 4.8 ± 2.9 portions/week) and a lower consumption of simple carbohydrates (21.0 ± 7.9 vs. 23.5 ± 8.4 % total energy intake) than participants not reporting diabetes. People with diabetes eat less simple carbohydrates, but do not comply with current advice on fish, nuts, fruits and vegetables. Improvement of the dietary intake in persons with diabetes in Switzerland is needed