Risk factors and economic implications of African swine fever in the pig value chain in Songwe and Ruvuma Regions, Tanzania
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Date
2022
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine university of agriculture
Abstract
African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious hemorrhagic disease of domestic and
wild pigs. The disease has economic consequences not only to food security and people’s
livelihoods but also on international trade as its occurrence and prevalence may result in
trade restrictions. Given direct and indirect losses attributable to the disease, an
understanding of risk factors associated with its outbreaks and economic implications of
the disease on pig value chain actors is of paramount importance. This study was
conducted with the aim to providing information in these respects. The study employed
value chain approach to determine risks factors and the economic implications of ASF in
Songwe and Ruvuma regions of Tanzania. Primary data were collected using structured
questionnaires, and semi structured key informant’s guide. Observation was used to assess
structure, facilities and practice within chains. Data were analyzed using Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) whereby descriptive statistics were computed and
logistic regression analysis performed. Spreadsheet model and Gross Margin were used to
determine financial losses associated with ASF. The findings show that main actors were
pig producers, assemblers, wholesalers, rural and urban retailers. Unknown stock source
(30%), poor husbandry such as free ranging (5%), poor management of waste products
(73%) and poor handling of feed (73%) were risk practices in the production node.
Transportation nodes operated under high risk due to frequent movements and pick-ups of
≥ 30 pigs per trip. Risk factors associated with ASF outbreak in Songwe region were
sharing of boars (P < 0.01, OR= 7.05 and CI
equipment (P < 0.04, OR= 4.14 and CI
OR= 3.08 and CI
=1.78; 28.00) and sharing of farm
95%
=1.07; 16.09). Presence of bush pigs (P < 0.01,
95%
=1.33; 7.14) and visitors access to farm (P < 0.01, OR= 2.38 and CI
95%
=1.23; 4.61) were positively correlated with ASF outbreak in Ruvuma region. During
95%
ASF outbreaks, high mortality occurred in piglets (31%) and in adult sows estimated at 9%. The estimated direct losses on pig producers were about 119 615 883 TZS in
Ruvuma and 165 785 000 TZS in Songwe. Indirect losses on traders due to trade
restrictions were estimated at 5 665 000 TZS in Songwe and 18 799 350 TZS in Ruvuma.
Therefore, there is a need to improve good husbandry, marketing infrastructures and
formation of pig business associations to improve pig value chain structure and
organization. There is also a need for strengthening veterinary services on routine disease
surveillance and training on disease risk manifestation for early detection, reporting and
disease control. The research findings reported in this study provide an insight on sources
and economic implications of the disease in affected areas which is very useful in
prevention to other areas in Tanzania which are potential for ASF outbreaks.
Description
Thesisi
Keywords
Economic implications, African swine, Pig value, Songwe Regions, Ruvuma Regions, Tanzania