Research Article
Influence of Improved Husbandry Practices on Productivity and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Agropastoral Meat Goat Production System in a Semi-arid Kenya
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2026
Pages:
87-96
Received:
21 June 2026
Accepted:
2 July 2026
Published:
10 August 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.avs.20261404.11
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Abstract: In Kenya, demand for goat meat is projected to continue rising and farmers in low input agropastoral production system are responding to the growing demand by increasing goat population, perpetuating rise in absolute and intensity of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study assessed influence of improved husbandry on protein food production and GHG emissions. The study was conducted in agropastoral meat goat system in Baringo county where a random sample of 124 smallholder meat goat farmers was interviewed through a cross-sectional farm survey. Descriptive statistics from primary data collected in cross-sectional farm survey was the model base input for simulation modelling using GLEAM-i tool to estimate GHG emissions and productivity. Referenced on average flock performance as base situation, improved husbandry was reflected as change in flock composition towards fewer adult males, increase in slaughter (market) weight and survival rate of young stock, earlier age at first kidding, shorter kidding interval and longer productive life. Improvement in base flock performance value was either to 25th or 75th percentile value to objectively reflect potential attainable improvement in the flock. Relative to the base situation, fewer adult males in the flock resulted in 26.9% increase in productivity but absolute emissions increased by 10.1% while emission intensity reduced by 13.4%. Improving reproductive performance increased protein production by 8.4% with a reduction of 8.3% in emission intensity and 1.1% in absolute emissions. Increasing the survival of young animals and slaughter weight increased protein production by 8.4% with an increase of 3.8% in absolute emissions and a reduction of 4.1% in emission intensity. These findings show that improved flock composition, by keeping fewer adult males and more adult females have a larger potential of increasing protein production and reducing emission intensity, implying that regular off- take of unproductive animal classes in the flock can enhance sustainability of smallholder meat goat production systems. The results will guide extension service providers and policy makers in developing climate-smart interventions for increasing goat meat production while reducing emission intensity.
Abstract: In Kenya, demand for goat meat is projected to continue rising and farmers in low input agropastoral production system are responding to the growing demand by increasing goat population, perpetuating rise in absolute and intensity of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study assessed influence of improved husbandry on protein food production and G...
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Research Article
Major Gross Lesion of Lungs and Liver on Bovine and Associated Economic Loss at Hawassa Municipal Abattoir, Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2026
Pages:
97-105
Received:
7 April 2026
Accepted:
13 July 2026
Published:
11 August 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.avs.20261404.12
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Abstract: Different pathological lesion of an organ has a great influence of an economy of one country by condemnation in cattle slaughtered at municipal abattoir. The study was conducted from November, 2019 to February, 2020 at Hawassa municipal abattoir, Southern Ethiopia from ama zone with the aim of determining major causes of lung and liver condemnation and to estimate the direct financial losses attributed to the condemned lungs and liver. Standard ante mortem and post-mortem inspection procedures were performed throughout the study and abnormalities encountered were recorded. A total of 567 male cattle were measured for ante mortem and post-mortem examination by orderly random sampling technique by applying identification marker from the body. During ante mortem inspection the most common abnormalities were 3 (0.53%) lameness, 2 (0.35%) nasal discharge, 1 (0.18%) skin lesions and 4 (0.71%) rough hair coat, 5 (0.88%) pale mucous membrane was conducted. Up on post mortem inspection, 298 (52.55%) of lungs were condemned due to 176 (31.04%) hydatidosis, 45 (7.94%) CBPP, 32 (5.64%) emphysema, 12 (2.12%) marbling, 11 (1.94%) Atelectasis, 10 (1.76%) calcification, 7 (1.23%) adhesion, 5 (0.88%) pneumonia and 307 (54.14%) of livers were condemned due to 187 (32.98%) fasciolosis, 53 (9.35%) hydatidosis, 33 (5.82%) calcification, 18 (3.17%) hardening, 11 (1.94%) hepatitis and 5 (0.88%) cirrhosis. From these study hydatidosis (31.04%) for lung and fasciolosis (32.98%) for liver were the major cause of condemnation rate in Hawassa municipal abattoir respectively. There was a statistically significant difference observed between age and breed of lung and liver (p>0.05 and p<0.05) respectively. Commonly fasciolosis from the liver and hydatidosis from the lung were the familiar cases from this abattoir. Finally, established public health importance to avoid eating of raw meat or organ to control the encounter disease of the abattoir.
Abstract: Different pathological lesion of an organ has a great influence of an economy of one country by condemnation in cattle slaughtered at municipal abattoir. The study was conducted from November, 2019 to February, 2020 at Hawassa municipal abattoir, Southern Ethiopia from ama zone with the aim of determining major causes of lung and liver condemnation...
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,
Thomas Kainga Muasya
