Determinants of Therapeutic Choices and Cattle Health Management in Western Burkina Faso

Abstract

This paper analyses the strategies of farmers in the Kenedougou province to control African Animal Trypanosomosis (AAT). Using economic, entomological, and parasitological data collected by a multidisciplinary team, we operated a binary Logit model to evaluate the probability of choice between animal health professionals and non-professionals. The results show that economic and environmental variables contributed jointly to explain the choice between professionals and non-professionals in the study area. The prevalence of trypanosomosis, and farm size affect positively and significantly the choice of farmers to use an animal health professional. However, farmers in crop production systems, and distance both negatively affect the willingness to use the services of an animal health professional. Pastoral development policies should pay attention to improving economic and geographical access to veterinary drugs in order to mitigate the impact of AAT on the productivity of farms.JEL Classification: D01, D21