Institution: | a Clinical Veterinary Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zimbabwe, PO Box MP 167, Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe b Centre for Biostatistics, Utrecht University, Padualaan 14, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands c Division of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, P.O. Box 80.165, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands d International and Area Studies, Development Administration, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-2300, USA |
Abstract: | We used factor and path analyses to identify the causal paths or relationships between variables affecting the demand and use by subsistence farmers of the various services offered by government-employed veterinary livestock technicians (VLTs) in Zimbabwe in 1996. We examined whether the farmer had implemented the VLT-recommended livestock-management procedures. Various factors that have been reported or theorised as important in the demand for veterinary services by subsistence farmers are described. The important factors positively affecting whether farmers had sought veterinary assistance in the last 24 months included familiarity of the farmer with the VLT, if situated closer to the VLT’s base, and if the farmer received further training in agriculture (either through courses or from attendance at demonstrations on animal husbandry conducted by the VLT). Factors affecting whether farmers implemented the recommended management practices that had a monetary cost included familiarity with the VLT, proximity to the VLT’s premises, farmer literacy, club membership, and farmer’s wealth. There was a difference in the paths generated for preventive measures that had a monetary cost versus those measures that involved only a labour or effort costs. For the former practices, the VLT played an important role informing farmers by extension and demonstrations, and farmer’s membership of a club increased their performance. |