The Impact of Marketing System on Cattle Welfare in Dambi Dollo and Geba Robi Markets

Mohammed Yousuf Ebro, Firomsa Tarressa Milki, Abdi Yusuf Mohammed, Seyedmousa Hosseini

Abstract


Cattle welfare is influenced by several factors, including Lack of food, water, shelter, rest, and convenient transportation. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of marketing systems on cattle welfare. The study was conducted in D/Dollo and G/Robi towns in Kellem Wollega Zone, Ethiopia. During the study period, 60 respondents were selected randomly and data was collected through direct observation, interview, and semi-structured questionnaires. The majority age of respondents ranged from 31-45 (53.3%) and the analysis for educational status disclosed that 46.7% of the respondents were illiterates. Most of the market actors in the study area were farmers which covered 51.7% and 46.7% of total sellers and buyers, respectively. About 65% of the respondents confirmed that the price of cattle is set by negotiation between buyers and sellers. Abusive handling by stakeholders was the most frequently observed behavior (48% and 45%) at D/Dollo and G/Robi markets, respectively. The highest expressed abusive behaviors by stakeholders were beating of the body by the stick at 45% and 48% at D/Dollo and G/Robi markets, respectively. The aggressive behavior of the animals due to human intervention at D/Dollo and G/Robi accounts for about 37% and 42%, respectively. The stress-related behavior that was observed at the highest extent in both markets was moving forward by 31% and 28 for D/Dollo and G/Robi, respectively. The transportation system of cattle in the study area was mostly by foot 100% in D/Dollo and G/Robi towns. Hunger and thrust were leading welfare problems whereas naturalness is not the main problem. Lack of awareness with a frequency of 45% is the primary reason for the poor welfare conditions of cattle in the study area.  Generally, the animal welfare at markets in the study area was very poor and animal transport conditions are inadequate. According to our findings most of the welfare problems were caused by a lack of awareness and carelessness of stakeholders.


Keywords


Behaviour, Cattle, Dambi Dollo, Market, Welfare

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References


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