Analysis of the milk value chains in Ghana and Senegal: What can we learn?

In the absence of a significant increase in domestic milk production, Ghana and Senegal heavily depend on milk powder and other dairy products imports from EU member countries. Actors in the West African dairy sector have come under increasing pressure to compete with the cheap imported milk powder on their local markets. Therefore, this research study was intended to map and compare the structure of two milk value chains in Ghana and Senegal. For the collection of primary data, in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants. A total of 59 actors along the milk value chains were sampled and interviewed and the data was descriptively analyzed. The study results reveal that the local fresh milk value chain in Ghana is entirely separated from the milk powder value chain. Ghana's local milk value chain is informal, simple, and not well-developed compared to the imported milk powder value chain. The main actors in the fresh milk value chains are the input suppliers, producers (intensive, semi-intensive, extensive), collectors, processors, street vendors, financial and other services providers. The value chain that depends on imported milk powder is extensive compared to the local milk value chain. Its key players are importers, re-packagers, re-constitutors, processors, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers. In Senegal, the key actors are limited in number and include input suppliers, producers (pastoral, agro-pastoral, peri-urban), collectors, processors, importers, wholesalers, small retailers (small kiosks, shops etc.). Overall, the value addition practices were low as compared to the potential available for dairy production. Traditional milk processing is more dominant in both countries, and herders' wives transform fresh milk into butter cheese (known as wagashi) or curdled milk. The primary constraints identified in both countries are an insufficient supply of fresh milk in the dry season, high transport fares due to long distances to the milk collectors, lack of storage facilities, lack of credit facilities to the dairy value chain actors, insufficient extension support, poor road networks, and competition from imported milk. Nevertheless, the strong preference of consumers for fresh milk-based products in both coun-tries presents a great opportunity to the local dairy value chain actors

Is Hiding Foot and Mouth Disease Sensitive Behavior for Farmers? A Survey Study in Sri Lanka

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) has a long history in Sri Lanka and was found to be endemic in various parts of the country and constitutes a constant threat to farmers. In Sri Lanka, currently there is no regular, nationwide vaccination programme devised to control FMD. Therefore, improving farmers’ knowledge regarding distinguishing FMD from other diseases and ensuring prompt reporting of any suspicion of FMD as well as restricting movement of animals are critical activities for an effective FMD response effort. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between farmers’ knowledge levels and their behaviors to establish a strategy to control FMD. In our study, item count technique was applied to estimate the number of farmers that under-report and sell FMD-infected animals, although to do so is prohibited by law. The following findings were observed: about 63% of farmers have very poor knowledge of routes of FMD transmission; ‘under-reporting’ was found to be a sensitive behavior and nearly 23% of the farmers were reluctant to report FMD-infected animals; and ‘selling FMD-infected animals’ is a sensitive behavior among high-level knowledge group while it is a non-sensitive behavior among the low-level knowledge group. If farmers would understand the importance of prompt reporting, they may report any suspected cases of FMD to veterinary officials. However, even if farmers report honestly, they do not want to cull FMD-infected animals. Thus, education programs should be conducted not only on FMD introduction and transmission, but also its impact. Furthermore, consumers may criticize the farmers for culling their infected animals. Hence, not only farmers, but also consumers need to be educated on the economic impact of FMD and the importance of controlling an outbreak. If farmers have a high knowledge of FMD transmission, they consider selling FMD-infected animals as a sensitive behavior. Therefore, severe punishment should be levied for selling FMD-infected animals

Segmenting Foodies in Germany: Actionable Insights for Agro-food Marketers

The rise of the Foodie movement around the globe has attracted some research attention in the sociology, but little research attention in marketing research. The present study is an important first attempt to empirically identify foodie features and examine their relevance in segmenting German consumers. Using two different cluster analysis techniques (hierarchical and a k-mean), 6 distinct foodie segments were identified: Foodies (12.0 %), Light Foodies (21.5%), Average Nutrition Enthusiast (21.7%), Traditionalist (17.1%), Uninvolved (18.2%), and the Uninterested (9.5%). Findings are useful for marketers to develop new and innovative products and to reformulate existing products for specific segments of foodies

Economic analysis of different dairy production systems in Ghana and Senegal: an application of typical farm approach

Ghana has been experiencing a significant increase in the demand for dairy products due to rising incomes, population growth, urbanization, and changes in dietary choices. However, due to the low domestic milk production capacity, Ghana relies heavily on imports to meet local demand. This study aimed to identify and characterize prevailing dairy production systems in Ghana; and measure and compare their costs and returns using the TIPI-CAL model (Technology Impact, Policy Impact Calculation model). Three typical farms were selected from each production system: confined-cut and carry (GH-03), agro-pastoral (GH-35), and pastoral production systems (GH-27). The cost of milk production for GH-03, GH-35, and GH-27 was €58.48/100kg Energy Corrected Milk (ECM), €49.05/100kg ECM, and €39.51/100kg ECM, respectively. All three farms had a positive entrepreneur's profit and covered their full economic cost from dairying in the short, medium, and long terms. However, the GH-27 was economically unviable in the long term for finished cattle because of the high opportunity cost of labor. Nonetheless, the market had a low absorption capacity for surplus milk mainly due to the lack of infrastructure and cooling facilities. Other issues such as low milk yield, shortage of forage, lack of artificial insemination, and the lack of organized marketing facilities were the major constraints faced by dairy farmers in Ghana

European Exports of Poultry and Milk Products to Ghana and Senegal: A Blessing or a Curse?

Like many other African countries, Ghana and Senegal import large quantities of meat and dairy products from overseas. As this trend rises, together with critical discussions about the consequences for local producers and food security, the role of exports from Europe to African countries has become an intensively discussed topic. It is often argued that imported products are lowering or impeding domestic production due to increased competition in Africa. In this context, the EU agricultural and trade policies are often criticized. We aim to develop and evaluate measures to avoid or reduce the undesirable effects of these exports. In the group of livestock products, we focus on poultry meat and milk products. We investigate the above-mentioned issues in the areas of politics, trade, production technology, value chains, and consumer preferences

European Exports of Poultry and Milk Products to Ghana and Senegal: A Blessing or a Curse?

Like many other African countries, Ghana and Senegal import large quantities of meat and dairy products from overseas. As this trend rises, together with critical discussions about the consequences for local producers and food security, the role of exports from Europe to African countries has become an intensively discussed topic. It is often argued that imported products are lowering or impeding domestic production due to increased competition in Africa. In this context, the EU agricultural and trade policies are often criticized. We aim to develop and evaluate measures to avoid or reduce the undesirable effects of these exports. In the group of livestock products, we focus on poultry meat and milk products. We investigate the above-mentioned issues in the areas of politics, trade, production technology, value chains, and consumer preferences