Determinants of commercialization and effective demand for animal health services among goat smallholder farmers in Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipalit

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to analyse the determinants of commercialization and demands for animal health services among goat smallholder farmers in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, North West Province, South Africa. One hundred and forty nine smallholder goat farmers were randomly selected for the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The findings show that 60. 4% of smallholder goat farmers are males; the study showed 66. 4% of farmers had went up to primary school level. The results also showed that 96. 6% of smallholder goat farmers were not employed. The study further indicated that 83.2% of smallholder goat farmers were practicing extensive farming system. The study established that 67.8% of smallholder goat farmers lived less than 20km from the nearest State Veterinary service centres, and that 85.9% lived within 20-40km radius from the nearest dipping tank/crush pan. The study established that state veterinary officials did quarterly visits, 7 4. 5% affirmed the latter. The results also indicated that 85. 2% of the respondents were practising subsistence market system. Respondents at a rate of 86. 6% were selling their goats at the farm level. The study established that heartwater (98%) was the most prevalent disease in goat farming in the district followed by Enterotoxaemia (85.9%) and Tetanus (84.6%). The research showed the animal services demanded by smallholder farmer to be vaccination (55%), deworming of goats (55%), and treatment (55%). The research showed that the most notable are treatment of animals (Mean=R292.10), animal supplementation (Mean=R 170. 60) and dystocia relieve (Mean= R 170.10 and consultation (Mean=R 71.1),The notable goat health services demanded were consultation (2 1. 5%), vaccination (21 . 5%), animal deworming (18. 8%) and animal treatment (18. 8%). The greatest information needs on goat health services were veterinary movement permits issuing (41. 6%), animal identification (40.3%), and vaccination (33. 6%). The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that the independent variables related significantly to commercialization and demanded animal health services by smallholder goat farmers: The results of the multiple regression showed that the significant determinants of information needs on goat health services were Age (t = 6.222, p = . 000), Religion(t=4. 769,p =. 000),Employment status(t=3. 087,p =. 003), Landownership(t= 1. 911,p =. 058), Farming implements ownership (t=3.171, p=. 002), Sheep ownership (t =5.123,p = . 000), Distance to Veterinary clinic(t=. 356,p =. OJ OJ, Sources of information(t=2.388,p =. 019), Use of private Veterinary services (t=4. 740, p =. 000), Level of market orientation(t=4. 7 89,p=. 000), Cost of services demanded(t=4.107,p =. 000). The results of the multiple regression show that the significant determinants of factors influencing Effectiveness of goat health services demanded were Gender(t=2.328,p =. 022), Age (t=2.023,p =. 045), Land ownership(t=l.921,p=. 057), Cost of services demanded(t=8. 904,p =. 000), Household commercialization(t= 1. 800,p =. 07 4), Health Information needs(!= 1.921,p =. 057). The results of the multiple regression show that the significant determinants of Household commercialization index among goat farmers were Educational level (t=2.453, p =. OJ 6), Poultry ownership (t=2.0JO, p =. 047), Use of private Veterinary services (t=l.993, p =.049), Commercialization output (t= 2.107, p=. 03 7), Effectiveness of services demanded (t= 1. 800, p =. 074). The study concluded that: • There is a significant relationship between demographic characteristics, sources of information and level of commercialization among smallholder goat farmers. And that • There is a significant relationship between demographic characteristics, sources of information and demand for animal health services among smallholder goat farmers. The study has however found that goat production can be a viable option to ensure commercialization of the live goats and their products and that Veterinary services are necessary to assist farmers to effectively control disease conditions affecting goats.