Small-scale goat farming systems in the Ciénega region of México: constraints and prospects for brucellosis control

Diseases transmitted from goats to humans, such as brucellosis are major constraints in development of goat farming. In the Ciénega region of Mexico poor people practice small-scale goat farming and brucellosis is endemic. Our objectives were to characterize small-scale goat farming systems and to analyze constraints and prospects for brucellosis control. Four villages of the Ciénega region were included in the study. Multiple methods were used, such as semistructured interviews among stakeholders, participatory workshops and two surveys, one among 43 goat farmers and one among goat farmers¿ neighbors. Quantitative data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were coded by topics for analysis. Small-scale goat farms produce milk for sale. Farming systems are relatively low external input systems. Most farmers (68%) kept goats in extensive grazing systems. During the rainy season, goats graze native vegetation in communal land, and during the dry season, crop residues in crop land. Goats are supplemented maize and sorghum during dry season. Average flock size was 60 (SD 62) adult goats. Average farm size was 5 ha (SD 6.3). For 60% of the farm households, goat farming was a main source of income. In only 36% of the farm households, goat milk was consumed. Often milk was not consumed because farmers perceived the risk of brucellosis infection. The private milk processor does not encourage brucellosis control, because milk is used to produce candies. Farmers see milk price as a main constraint to goat farming. Although 56% of the farm households have had at least one case of human brucellosis, controlling brucellosis was not a priority for 77% of the farmers interviewed. Farmers¿ knowledge about brucellosis in goats proved limited. Vaccine application for brucellosis control is 15 times more expensive than for pneumonia control in goats. While conducting the study a case of corruption by local agricultural officers hindered continuity of a brucellosis control program on goat farms. Brucellosis control might be feasible and attractive for farmers in a scenario where milk market and governmental support is more favorable. Results show that brucellosis control requires a good understanding of the farming system in the socio-economic context. XXIII Reunión Nacional sobre Caprinocultura 494