Problems and prospects in the utilisation of animal traction in semi-arid West Africa: Evidence from Niger

Sustained adoption of animal traction for crop cultivation in the semi-arid zone of West Africa has been slow despite deliberate attempts by governments, development agencies and research organisations to promote its use among small-scale farmers. The low adoption rates are partly due to demand and supply constraints, combined with the absence of certain pre-conditions (e.g. appropriate climatic and biophysical attributes, and farming practices). On the demand side, factors like the short time available for land preparation and sowing, high opportunity cost of resources tied up in animal traction, variable yield gains from animal traction tillage and long learning curves for both animals and operators have contributed to limit the adoption of animal traction. On the supply side, inappropriately designed and expensive equipment, and inadequate extension, training and support services have inhibited adoption of animal traction. Together, these demand and supply factors have lowered the profitability of animal traction and made its use unattractive to the farmer in semi-arid West Africa. For policy makers and researchers in West Africa, the issue of how to improve the adoption, utilisation and profitability of animal traction remains an important one. This is all the more so given that animal traction has not been fully exploited in many parts of semi-arid West Africa and that its use has seldom led to the achievement of the many benefits documented for other regions of the world, particularly Asia. Factors responsible for the divergence between the potential and actual impact of animal traction, and measures to narrow the gap need therefore to be identified more clearly through empirically based research

Livestock development in Nigeria: A survey of the policy issues and options

The livestock subsector (LSS) has always been an important component of the Nigerian economy. Despite the importance of the sector, growth in livestock output has been slow. In the face of constraints posed by disease and ecological problems, government policies have not been totally successful in introducing or encouraging the development of basic technological and institutional changes necessary to exploit the potential that exists for an efficient growth of the LSS. The anatomy of these policies is the subject of this paper. It begins with a summary description of the LSS, including an analysis of trends in livestock distribution, production, trade and consumption. Throughout the paper attempts are made to examine the political economy of policy decisions in order to explain why certain policies are chosen when other alternatives appear to be available. A discussion of the lessons and suggestions for feasible policy changes in the futre concludes the paper

A Hedonic Analysis of Cattle Prices in the Central Corridor of West Africa: Implications for Production and Marketing Decisions

Detailed weekly sales transactions data for the period January 2000-June 2001 from three frontier markets in the central corridor of West Africa were analyzed to identify the factors influencing short-run, intra-year cattle prices. The empirical results indicate that in addition to market location and seasonality of supply and sales, market participants show systemic preferences for specific cattle attributes (sex, weight, condition and finish) and are willing to pay premium prices consistent with their preferences. Communicating this information to producers can assist them to tailor their production and marketing decisions to meet market expectations and thereby improve their competitiveness, profitability and intra-regional livestock trade. Innovative policy and institutional approaches to improve market information dissemination and ease other constraints that tend to dampen supply response, even in the face of favorable prices, are discussed in the paper.livestock markets, hedonic price model, market information, West Africa, Livestock Production/Industries, C21, D4, Q13, Q17,

Economic considerations for smallholder cattle milk and meat production and marketing. II. Production related aspects

Identifies constraints to and opportunities for improved meat and milk production in Africa; w., particularly emphasis on the increase of the quantity and quality of feed, improved nutrition, genetic improvement, animal health delivery system and disease control; and finally on risk adoption which is a constraint to increased productivity in the process of technology development or policy formulation

Economic considerations for smallholder cattle milk and meat production and marketing. I. Economic policies, supporting institutions, marketing and demand

Discusses the considerations relating to economic policy, supporting institutions and marketing and consumer demand. Classifies and discusses market functions and analyses market organization and institutions of marketing. Looks into the purpose of marketing studies. Discusses some lessons from past livestock marketing studies

Macroeconomic, international trade and sectoral policies in livestock development. An analysis with particular reference to low income countries

Following a general introduction Section 1 review regional trends in production, consumption and trade and highlights some related policy issues. Section 2 then considers in conceptual terms the importance of macroeconomic, trade and other economic policies to provide a basis for the remainder of the paper. Section 3 examines agricultural and livestock development in major developing regions in relation to macroeconomic and trade policies whereas Section 4 looks at livestock sector policies. Recent West African experiences in livestock production and trade against a background of changes in international and regional economic policies are the focus of Section 5. The concluding Section 6 focuses on appropriate economic policies for livestock development in low income countries

Radiotelemetry Of Heart Rates From Free-Ranging Gulls

A lightweight radiotelemetry system with a range of 80 km was used to monitor heart rate from free-ranging Herring Gulls on flights of up to 20 km. Heart rate varied from 130 beats/min in a resting bird to 625 beats/min for sustained flight. Soaring birds showed rates similar to those of birds sitting quietly on the ground. Simultaneous records of telemetered heart rate and intraspecific conflict on the nesting island revealed that cardiac acceleration preceded overt visual communication. Intensely aggressive behavior was accompanied by heart rates approaching those of sustained flight. Heart rate as a measure of metabolic cost indicates that the gull\u27s behavioral adaptations for long-distance flight, food location and intraspecific communication result in major energy savings