Performance and challenges in the management of improved cattle in agro-pastoral systems of Central Tanzania

摘要

AstudywasconductedinChipogoroandMtumbavillagesinordertoevaluatetheperformanceofMpwapwacattleintroducedinrespectivevillagesin1999/2000.nbsp;Farmerswereinterviewedingroupsorindividuallyusingachecklistandastructuredquestionnaire.Participantobservationsandreviewofperformancerecordswerealsoused.nbsp;ResultsindicatedthatcrossbredcowsofMpwapwaandTanzaniaShorthornzebu(TSZ)(MPWxTSZ)produceduptofourlitresofmilkperdayunderfreegrazingconditionsinChipogorovillageascomparedtoonelitreofmilkperdayofthepureTSZcows.Similarly,theMpwapwacowskeptunderzerograzingconditionsinMtumbavillageproduceduptosixlitresofmilkpercowperday.Calfbirth-weightsofcrossbred(MPWxTSZ)variedfrom15to20kgcomparedtobirth-weightsof10to15kgofthetraditionalTSZ.TheaveragepriceofmilkperlitreperdaywasTSh.300(aboutUS$0.3).ThepriceofliveTSZcattlevariedfromTSh.75,000(aboutUS$75)to150,000(aboutUS$150)perheadundergoodmarketingseasonthoughthatofMPWxTSZvariedfromTsh.250,000(aboutUS$250)to300,000(aboutUS$300).However,agro-pastoralistswerenotonlychallengedbyinadequaciesinquantitiesandqualitiesofpastureandincidencesoftickborneandotherdiseasessuchasECFandCBPPbutalsowithinadequateextensionservices.