Livestock Theft Research Articles

Experiences of participants in an agricultural livelihood support initiative for people living with HIV in central Uganda

This study aimed at assessing the experiences of people living with HIV who participated in an agricultural livelihood support initiative in selected districts of Uganda. The initiative, implemented from 2017 to 2018, involved the provision of agricultural inputs such as beans, cassava cuttings, goats, chickens, and pigs to participants. In-depth interviews were conducted with 37 people (28 women and 9 men) from the districts of Kampala, Masaka and Wakiso (specifically Entebbe) in central Uganda, who had participated in the project. Data were analysed thematically focusing on facilitators, challenges and outcomes from the project. The following themes emerged as facilitators: access to land and animal feed, prior farming experience and supportive family and friends. Some participants experienced challenges including animal/poultry diseases, livestock theft, “low quality” agricultural inputs, unfavourable weather conditions, limited finance and land to support livelihood activities and difficulties working in groups. Several participants reported positive livelihood outcomes including improved food security, better nutrition, increased income and improved mental health. However, some participants reported negative outcomes which took the form of a loss of money and time invested when their livestock died from disease. Although participants in the agricultural livelihood initiative faced challenges which reduced the profitability of their projects, the initiative was regarded as beneficial and worthwhile. These findings have relevance to the broader field of livelihoods programming. Future interventions can draw from the experiences of our participants while also taking seriously into consideration the different circumstances of individuals in a targeted population so as to increase the chances of producing more positive outcomes.

Effects of Armed Conflicts on The National Security of Post Conflicts States, A Case Study of Juba County in Central Equatorial State, South Sudan

This paper assessed the nature of existing armed conflicts and their effect on security management, established the influence of the local and regional dynamics of conflicts on security management and finally examined the effect of the emerging security threats on security management strategies in Juba County, South Sudan. The study was guided by two theories; Conflict Transformation and National Security theories. The study used descriptive survey research design and Purposive sampling technique to enlist 210 respondents for this study. The main method of data collection was the interview. Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data and reported in narrative form. The study established a dichotomy of existing armed conflicts; external and internal conflicts in Central Equatorial State, South Sudan that had serious implication on both Security Management and National security. The second objective established the influence of local and regional dynamics that affected security management that included; Interlocking political and tribal division aspects of conflict, the influence of insurgents and armed cross border militia groups; greed for livestock by political elites that saw them arm their tribal militia with modern guns and military hardware for ease of livestock theft, amongst others. The third objective established the effect of several emerging security threats on Security Management strategies in Juba County, which included migrant migration for domestic and international child soldiering recruitment in the context of the on-going civil war and also for soldiering elsewhere outside the country. This paper establishes a regional policy concern that South Sudan is largely unsafe, and by implication the whole region is unlikely to be safe. This calls for an immediate action by all security stakeholders, UN agencies, Non State Actors, security pundits and think tanks to brainstorm and chart a way forward for South Sudan and the entire region.

An Analysis of Livestock Theft in South Africa (2013-2023): Towards a Deeper Understanding of Livestock Dynamics for Enhanced Countermeasures

Livestock theft poses a significant challenge to the agricultural sector in South Africa, impacting farmers’ livelihoods, food security, and economic stability. This article analyses livestock theft in South Africa for the ten-year period from 2013 to 2023. It draws on existing literature, government statistics, and analyses of livestock theft statistics. The study identifies the key factors contributing to livestock theft, including regional disparities, seasonal patterns, and the involvement of organised crime. Key findings reveal a steady decline in reported cases from the 2018/2019 financial reporting year, even though the number of stolen livestock has remained relatively high. This is indicative of underreporting, livestock theft incidents; closed-circuit television (CCTV) and surveillance measures; that have had an influence on the data. Practical recommendations are made for combating livestock theft, including improving reporting mechanisms; conducting targeted research on regional hotspots; implementing interventions during peak theft periods; fostering stakeholder collaboration; and increased investment in the training and capacity-building initiatives for law enforcement agencies. This article contributes to understanding the complexities of livestock theft in South Africa. It offers actionable recommendations for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and agricultural stakeholders to address this pressing issue and protect the economic livelihoods of farming communities.

Stumbling from Correctional Walls to Rural Halls: A Unique Journey from Farming and Corrections to Academia in Rural Crime and Livestock Theft

No abstract available.

Policy Approaches to Combat Livestock Theft and Enhance Security

Purpose: This study sought to analyze policy approaches to combat livestock theft and enhance security. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to policy approaches to combat livestock theft and enhance security. Preliminary empirical review revealed that a multi-faceted approach is essential to effectively address livestock theft. It emphasized the importance of integrating legislative measures, technological innovations, community-based initiatives, and enhanced law enforcement efforts. Technologies like GPS tracking and RFID tags were found effective but required financial support for widespread adoption. Community involvement and education were highlighted as critical for local surveillance and theft prevention. The study also underscored the need for robust legislative frameworks and international cooperation to deter theft and ensure consistent enforcement Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Routine Activity Theory, Rational Choice Theory and Situational Crime Prevention Theory may be used to anchor future studies on policy approaches on combating livestock theft and enhance security. The study concluded that an integrated approach, including advanced security technologies, community involvement, and robust legislative frameworks, was essential for effectively reducing livestock theft. It highlighted the need for financial incentives to help farmers adopt GPS tracking and RFID tags, expanded community-based initiatives like Farm Watch, and stricter penalties for theft. The study also emphasized the importance of international cooperation for standardizing livestock identification practices and supporting cross-border law enforcement efforts. These recommendations aimed to enhance livestock security, mitigate financial losses, and improve community resilience Keywords: Livestock Theft, Livestock Security, Legislative Measures, Advanced Security Technologies, GPS Tracking, RFID Tags

Banditry Implications on Socio-Economic Development in Baringo South Sub-County, Kenya

Banditry incidents affect people in various ways like displacement from homes, cause poor health, disrupt education, increase poverty, and create unfavourable business environment. At Baringo South Sub-County in Kenya, many lives have been lost and several injured in banditry incidents. National and County governments have invested in measures to enhance security and contain livestock theft, but challenges still exist. In this study, purposive and stratified random sampling techniques were used. The sample size was 364 residents. Mixed research methods of quantitative and qualitative were used in the study, with instruments for data collection being closed-ended question questionnaires and open-ended structured interview schedules. The study found that banditry negatively affects the average income levels of locals through its outstanding effects on aspects such as poverty, destruction of business activities, displacements from homes, creating an unfavorable climate for investors, unemployment, and professionals’ avoidance of banditry-prone areas due to insecurity. Further, the findings of this study demonstrated that banditry has notable implications on literacy levels through its serious impact on the closure of schools, instilling fear in learners and teachers besides being one of the causes of school dropouts.

TINJAUAN KRIMINOLOGIS TERHADAP TINDAK PIDANA PENCURIAN KERBAU DI WILAYAH HUKUM KEPOLISIAN RESOR SUMBA BARAT

The law can contribute maximally to the implementation of legal development if law enforcement officials and all levels of society are subject to and obey legal norms. However, in reality, not all elements of society obey the existing rules. This has led to the emergence of unlawful acts, such as the crime of buffalo theft. The crime of livestock theft is considered one of the criminal acts that are very detrimental as well as disturbing the community with the modus operandi of the perpetrators of buffalo theft in the West Sumba Resort Police Area with the problem of factors that cause the crime of buffalo theft and its countermeasures. This type of research is empirical legal research, using a sociological approach, namely identifying and conceptualizing law as a real and functional institution in a real-life system, this research was conducted in the West Sumba Resort Police Law Area, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Factors that cause the crime of buffalo theft are economic factors, environmental factors, and educational factors. The efforts of the West Sumba Resort Police in tackling the crime of buffalo theft in the West Sumba Resort Police Jurisdiction are through preventive efforts and repressive efforts.

Farm Crime and Security: Evaluating Smart Tag Technology for Preventing, Tracking and Recovering Stolen Livestock

This research study evaluates the efficacy of Ceres Tag, a livestock information platform that utilises a unique smart tag, in improving farm security by preventing, interrupting, and reducing livestock theft – a prevalent issue among farmers and landholders in countries like Australia. The Ceres Tag is equipped with an accelerometer and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technology to collect data on animal health, welfare, movement, and traceability. It was hypothesised that the Ceres Tag could combat livestock theft by enabling interventions at three key stages: rapid prevention, tracking of stolen livestock, and recovery of stolen livestock. To assess this, a mock theft of livestock was staged, accompanied by a coordinated law enforcement response. Key findings include: (1) the Ceres Tag issued a ‘high activity alert’ to farmers, indicating significant livestock agitation, within 12 minutes of the mock theft initiation; (2) utilising the data, the New South Wales (NSW) Police were able to track and interrupt the livestock theft within 25 minutes; (3) the data enabled the NSW Police to repeatedly track and interrupt the theft on three separate occasions over a 110 kilometre distance and 90-minute period; and (4) following the thieves' arrival at their destination, the NSW Police, aided by the data, recovered the stolen livestock within 20 minutes. The Ceres Tag system increases the risk of criminal behaviour in often riskless rural settings, effectively ‘hardening’ livestock as targets through technological innovation. Furthermore, the platform provides farmers with tangible evidence of a crime, substantially expediting the crime reporting process. This timely reporting, coupled with the data provided by Ceres Tag, positions police for rapid and effective intervention, thereby enhancing their capacity to investigate and resolve incidents of livestock theft. Overall, the results suggest that the Ceres Tag offers a promising technological tool for farmers and law enforcement officers alike, aimed at fortifying farm security and minimizing livestock theft.

Seeing Cattle like a State: Sedentist Assumptions of the Namibian Livestock Identification and Traceability System

Abstract Livestock identification and traceability systems (LITS) are an increasingly prominent component of national livestock development policies around the world. In theory, LITS allow governments to track and respond to disease and livestock theft efficiently. However, this paper argues that LITS are suffused with sedentist assumptions that are at odds with the livestock management practices of pastoralist communities. Drawing on qualitative interviews with implementing bureaucrats and affected pastoralist communities as well as one author's experience of growing up and managing cattle in a pastoralist community, we review the sedentist assumptions that animate the Namibian Livestock Identification and Traceability System (NamLITS) and describe how pastoralists in north-western Namibia perceive that NamLITS has affected their economic, social and political lives. We then show the strategies that pastoralists use to comply and circumvent NamLITS, and conclude with lessons for governments and development practitioners considering livestock tracing systems and mobile communities affected by them.

Lefebvrian analysis of livestock keeping in Fingo Village, Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa

Public nuisance caused by livestock has resulted in many local governments having a designated area to keep them, called commonages. In Makhanda, livestock owners often do not effectively utilize commonages; they let animals wander in the streets and keep them in the backyards, which is against municipal regulations. This study uses Lefebvre's production of the space-spatial triad, which provides a holistic understanding of why bylaws are circumvented in Fingo Village. The focus is on the dialectic process in the spatial triad between representational space and representations of space to understand spatial patterns. Purposive sampling methods were used to select ten household plots in Fingo Village. Primary data was collected using semi-structured interviews. The study's findings reveal that bylaws are circumvented because there are spatial contradictions between the conceived land use designations of the Makana Municipality and the lived experiences of the users/inhabitants. Three issues were noted: conceived ideas were not inline with cultural beliefs about livestock keeping in backyard kraal; commonage geographic location was not ideal as it's not visible to residential areas so users can see them while grazing, which increased chances of livestock theft; and Makana Municipality not effectively enforcing regulations and administering commonages.

Gender Related Issues and Ecosystem Service Utilization Within the Volta Basin: Field Level Qualitative Experiences

Ecosystem services are considered as essential factors to determine the quality of the wellbeing of populations. This research paper focuses on establishing the contributions of ecosystem services in ensuring food security and its subsequent impact on the socio-economic wellbeing of both men and women within the Volta Basin and what accounts for unequal access to ecosystem services by men and women. It also identifies the socio-cultural issues on ecosystem utilization within the given area. The approach employed for the gathering of data for this study was multi-disciplinary and local knowledge centered. Focus Group Discussions, household surveys, stakeholder consultative meetings, seminars and workshops and biophysical observations were the methods and tools employed in obtaining the needed data. Communities selected within the Volta Basin comprised Bawku West (Kokori through Aring to Binaba), Namdan District (from Sakote through Pelungu to Damolgo), Jirapa District (from Tuggo through Konzokala to Wulling) and Lawra District (from Dasuuri through Eramon Tangzu to Bompari). Findings from the study revealed that communities within the area of study relied on natural and human modified ecosystems to sustain and maintain human lives. The findings however established that traditional laws often provided land for women, wives, and widows through means other than, for instance, equal land shares on inheritance. Systemic gender biases existed in the form of customs, beliefs, attitudes and laws that confined women to cultivating some type of crops within the study communities. Also, most communities have lost their livestock as a result of theft and some farm fields have been destroyed by cattle grazing, making it difficult to access organic manure for farming resulting in the use of chemical fertilizer. Therefore, to ensure positive contribution of the ecosystems to food security, the study recommends that government should create regulations that strengthen tenure security in the majority of the studied locations. Also, efforts should be made to document and publicize benefits of gender inclusion in ecosystem service utilization. Studies should also be conducted on human attitudes and perceptions regarding ecosystem services as a tool for understanding the complex problems associated with environmental change in the context of cultural landscapes. Promote joint planning and consensus building with Fulani, farmers, decision makers and livestock owners to help solve the issue on livestock theft and over grazing.

Managing cattle rustling by enhancing police–community cooperation in the Karamoja Cluster: Lessons from Baringo, Kenya

ABSTRACT The Karamoja Cluster is the epicentre of Africa’s decades-old problem of cattle rustling. Recent reports indicate a rise in livestock theft, despite the unilateral and multilateral interventions of the cluster’s respective governments. Paradoxically, with the deployment of elite and specialised police units – and in some cases even the military – the number of fatalities, frequency of incidences and amount of livestock stolen all continue to increase. Using Baringo, Kenya as a case study, this article investigates why cattle rustlers continue to thrive in the Karamoja Cluster. Police legitimacy theory, frustration–aggression theory and theory of eco-violence were employed and both primary and secondary data sources were used, including interviews with 32 purposively selected respondents. It was found that coercive government responses to cattle rustling have resulted in the perception of police illegitimacy and consequently in non-cooperation between the community and the police. It is recommended that the Karamoja Cluster’s governments re-evaluate their intervention strategies with a view to fostering a positive police–community relationship in the areas most afflicted by cattle rustling, and that they deploy local reservists who are more aligned with local sociocultural dynamics in order to increase community acceptance of and cooperation with the police.

Semi-Supervised Machine Learning for Livestock Threat Classification Using GPS Data

South African livestock farmers face major challenges in the form of livestock theft and predation. In response to these concerns, farmers started using a collar that monitors the acceleration of an animal and, when specific parameters are met, triggers an alarm which transmits GPS data to the user’s mobile application. Typically, a collar is placed on one animal per flock or herd. In this work, we aim to classify the GPS trajectories captured by these devices into four categories: theft, predation, own-handling and other. We lay particular emphasis on distinguishing theft alarms since these have direct implications for the safety and financial sustainability of farmers. To date, just over one million of these alarms have been recorded. Unfortunately, these trajectories are not labelled with the four categories. Therefore, we start by collecting labelled data sets that can be used for training classification models. We then investigate supervised and semi-supervised approaches for classifying the trajectories. Our semi-supervised approach shows the best results with performance comparable to human performance. The approach consists of three parts. First, an autoencoder and classifier are jointly trained to produce fixed-dimensional embeddings from GPS trajectories. Second, these embeddings are clustered to produce cluster labels. And lastly, the cluster labels are added to human-engineered features and used to train a final classifier. Our semi-supervised approach achieves an overall classification accuracy of 69%, with an <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">F</i> <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">1</sub> score of 56% for theft events (4% lower than human performance) and an <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">F</i> <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">1</sub> score of 90% for own-handling events (slightly outperforming a human). This model can be deployed to aid farmers in terms of safety and security by providing them with critical information in emergency situations.

Analisis Yuridis Pertanggungjawaban Tindak Pidana Pencurian Ternak dalam Keadaan Memberatkan (Studi Putusan Pengadilan Negeri Kisaran Nomor 694/Pid.B/2021/PN Kis)

The crime of theft is still a dilemma and is a serious problem and requires a solution. The problems in this study are how to regulate criminal law against the crime of livestock theft in the case of the Kisaran District Court Decision Number 694/Pid.B/2021/PN Kis, how is the responsibility of the perpetrators of the crime of livestock theft in aggravating circumstances, how is the judge's legal considerations in the Court's Decision Negeri Kisaran Number 694/Pid.B/2021/PN Kis. This study uses a descriptive method through a normative approach (legal research), namely an approach to problems, carried out by examining various legal aspects in terms of applicable regulations. The results of the research on the criminal law regulation of the crime of livestock theft in the case of the Kisaran District Court Decision Number 694/Pid.B/2021/PN Kis is regulated in Article 363 Paragraph (1) 1st, 3rd 4th and 5th of the Criminal Code. The responsibility of the perpetrators of the crime of theft of livestock in aggravating circumstances is the fulfillment of all the elements in accordance with the articles imposed by the defendants and there is no justification and excuse for the actions committed by the defendants, and it is considered that the defendant is able to account for his actions, then the defendants must take responsibility for their actions. responsible for the actions in accordance with the decision handed down by the Panel of Judges, by serving a prison sentence of 10 (ten) months each.

The ‘contestation of crime’: Using a spatial theory of crime to examine livestock theft among small-scale farmers in Swartruggens, North West province

ABSTRACT Crime is a complex and multi-layered phenomenon that impacts the lives of every South African. One crime type – and its causes and consequences – that has been relatively under-researched in the country is livestock theft. This crime is becoming of increasingly concern due to its progressively organized nature and its consequential impact on local and national food security. In this study, we use a seminal spatial theory of crime – the routine activities theory – to examine the incidence of livestock theft in the farming community of Swartruggens, a small town in the North West Province of South Africa. Using group conversations with local community members as well as a series of interviews with farmers, we obtain a better theoretical understanding of the causal and contributary factors to the occurrence of livestock thefts in the area. We further motivate for a ‘contestation of crime’ in this community whereby various role players provide different and distinct rationales behind this scourge afflicting this town and its surroundings. A collaborative approach is recommended between community members and farmers to change the narrative depicted by both groups. This will hopefully deescalate existing tensions in the community and reduce the likelihood of further thefts occurring.

Managing the Menace of Cattle Rustling and Banditry in North Rift Kenya: The Role of Pokot Women

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to create a discourse surrounding women role in combating cattle rustling and banditry in north rift, Kenya. The article underscores that Pokot women play key roles in instigating cattle rustling and banditry in the north rift region. While media generally perceive women as passive bystanders, it projects men as the protagonists and antagonists during conflict. The thinking that women are only victims of conflicts, just because of the biases in reporting by the media, needs to be critically looked into.&#x0D; Methodology: The study relied on secondary sources where information from books, journals, periodicals and online opens sources was acquired before deep content analysis was carried and presented in prose.&#x0D; Findings: The study found that although women bear the brunt of conflicts as the post-Cold War examples clearly show, they are not always on the receiving end. Thus, the suffering that women go through because of conflicts has made them become active participants in such fights. While the article conceded that there are several other causal factors accounting for cattle rustling in the north rift, it finds that the role of Pokot women in fuelling livestock theft is a crucial one.&#x0D; Recommendation: The article recommended to policy makers that, if meaningful and sustainable peace is to be made in the north rift, they should consider engaging Pokot women in the peacemaking processes.

Cattle Rustling and Competing Land Claims: Understanding Struggles Over Land in Bunambutye, Eastern Uganda

AbstractBulambuli district in eastern Uganda suffered chronic insecurity arising from cattle rustling since the 1960s and recently became awash with escalating land conflicts. Focusing on the disputed ownership over Plot 94 in Bunambutye, Khanakwa examines the intersection between cattle rustling, land conflicts, and peace-building. While scholarship often overlooks the relationship between livestock theft and social conflict, evidence from Bulambuli highlights the efforts of affected communities vis-à-vis the failures of local political leadership to resolve tensions. The Ugandan government’s failure to enforce recommendations in a timely manner speaks to the urgency of arbitration and cancellation of fraudulent land titles.

The problems of livestock theft in Tuva: History and modernity (ethnic and legal aspects)

One of the most important achievements of the Tuvans in the process of adaptation to the nomadic culture and to the extreme continental climate of Central Asia was the breeding of various domestic animals adapted to different ecological conditions of the region. The main wealth of a nomad is livestock: horses, camels, cattle, sheep and goats, yaks, and reindeer. The article analyses the problems of livestock theft in Tuva from the mid-nineteenth century to the current state, as well as structure and dynamics of livestock theft. The main reasons for livestock theft and its reduced detection are analysed. On the basis of the conducted research, the authors have revealed a subjective portrait of a Tuvan livestock thief. Grazing as one of the factors of stock theft was studied. Suggestions on preventing livestock theft and recommendations on counteracting this crime are made.

Sistem Pengembangan Asuransi Usaha Ternak Sapi/Kerbau di Provinsi Aceh

Cow/buffalo-business insurance (AUTS/K) is a form of risk mitigation for livestock businesses run by farmers. Various risks that are often occurred include livestock death, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and livestock theft. If not handled properly, it can threaten the sustainability of this business, especially the small-scale livestock-business sector. This study aimed to formulate a developing system of cattle/buffalo-livestock insurance using the soft-systems methodology (SSM) approach. This research was conducted in Aceh Province from December 2020 to February 2021 using an expert survey by collecting data and information through parties who have competence or expertise in the field being studied. The development of this insurance system can be said to be an effort to improve and a solution to any problems currently being experienced in the implementation of AUTS/K. The result of improvements includes optimizing the roles of each party involved and program innovation to intensify AUTS/K products among breeders. The results showed that the SSM approach could describe the problem well and form a conceptual model for the AUTS/K system in Aceh province. Improvements to policies, assistance, and promotion systems are recommended as solutions to the problems related to livestock-insurance system implemented. Keywords: breeders, conceptual model, insurance system, soft-systems methodology, syariah insurance

Model Penguatan Kelembagaan Lokal dalam Penanggulangan Kemiskinan di Wilayah Perbatasan RI-DTL

The RI-RDTL border became an area of conflict between the communities in Makir Village and Lamaksenulu Village. This conflict often results in several criminal acts such as burglary, theft of livestock, confiscation of water to rice fields. Coupled with low physical development conditions, for example, the unavailability of clean water and heavily damaged road access, increase the poverty rate. This conflict factor is also caused by the lack of attention from the government, both in terms of education. Through this case study, the social reality of the border conflict in the RI-RDTL Border Region of the Belu Regency will be revealed. By using the theory of democracy as a theoretical framework, the purpose of this study is to propose a model for strengthening local institutions in disaster management. Data collection techniques used in this study include observation, interviews, and documentation. Focus Group Discussions (FGD) using technical comparison data were also conducted to increase the validity of the data obtained. The findings of this study are in the form of a model for strengthening local indigenous peoples' institutions in the form of Ti'sian Tak Ni'an in Makir and Lamaksenulu Villages. This model is expected to create a sense of togetherness, mutual cooperation, and community participation in sustainable development planning. Empowerment and capacity building of these communities can encourage them to lead a better and more prosperous life.