The Effect of A Community-Based Animal Health Service Programme on Livestock Mortality, Off-Take and Selected Husbandry Applications - A Field Study in Northern Malawi

Mortality, off-take and husbandry measures of 96 randomly selected users of a community-based animal health (BAHS) programme were compared with 96 matched part-users and 96 non-users, respectively. More than 5000 farm visits were conducted between July 1997 and February 1999, of which 3724 visits were used for this evaluation. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to compare farm characteristics and livestock performance among the three user categories. The results showed that users of the programme owned larger herds of ruminants and more chickens compared to part-users and non-users. For non-users, mean monthly mortalities in calves (3.2%), sheep and goats (2.8%) and chickens (4.4%) were twice as high compared to user farms (1.4, 1.3, and 2.0%) not showing a significant difference in the univariate analysis. All livestock species monitored in this study showed a decline in numbers dining the 14 months period of evaluation. Mean annual cattle off-takes between December 1997 and November 1998 on average were 10.5% (users), 9.5% (part-users) and 7.8% (non-users) with large data variability and no significant differences between user categories. There were large movements of cattle into and out of kraals. These were animals that were managed but not owned by respective farmers. Users of the BAHS programme applied some livestock husbandry and management measures more often than either of the other groups. During concluding interviews in January and February 1999, BAHS-users felt significantly more positive about the past year in terms of livestock health and production compared to part- and non-users. Overall, the results of this study suggested that usage of BAHS by smallholder farmers in northern Malawi contributes towards reduced mortality and thus improved production in livestock.