Tropentag, October 11 - 13, 2006 in Bonn "Prosperity and Poverty in a Globalized World – Challenges for Agricultural Research"

Analysis of the Potential Contribution of Improvements in the Livestock Production System to Better Livelihood of Small Farmers' Households: Livestock Production System Model as Represented by Major Actors

¹University of Cocody, Center of Scientific Research, Ivory Coast
²Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Agrifood and Agrienmvironmental Economics Group, Switzerland

Abstract

Livestock production plays an important role in the economies of many African countries. In Côte d'Ivoire, rapid population growth (3.8% in 1999) and urbanisation have modified dietary customs. There is a fast growing consumer demand for meat, eggs, and milk, which cannot be satisfied by local production alone (31% for meat and 11% for milk). Both constraints at the production level as well as poorly adapted and inefficient local, commercial networks characterise the system. The consequence is high transportation costs lead to a qualitatively and quantitatively inadequate supply of livestock products to urban centres from the countryside.
Acknowledging this inefficiency, this project is funded by ZIL and aimed to provide a detailed description, analysis, and understanding of the local livestock system.
Team learning is increasingly recognised as a critical factor in tackling strategic problems.
Considering all the points above, we have tried to interlink all the participants in the livestock production process through a systems approach using group modelling (Vennix, 1996). Vennix group modelling is a process whereby all participants exchange their perceptions of the origin of a problem and analyse its causes and their effects on the dynamic evolution of this problem.
The preferred partners has been key stakeholders in cattle, small ruminants and poultry production, starting with farmers and including co-operatives and consumer associations, veterinarians, drug retailers and sellers, development agencies, the Ministries of animal production of agriculture, trade and their local representatives and NGOs.
The mapping and modelling process recommended by Sterman (2000) and Vennix (1996) has been used and adapted to the context of livestock production in Côte d'Ivoire.
On this poster, we present the first model which reflects the views of the major actors.

Keywords: Côte d'Ivoire , Efficacy, Group Model building, livestock

Contact Address: Dao Daouda, University of Cocody, Center of Scientific Research, 01 Bp 1303 Abidjan 01, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, e-mail: daouda.daocsrs.ci