ASSESSMENT OF FARMERS’ PERCEPTION ABOUT BEETAL GOATS IN PAKISTAN BY USING LOGISTIC REGRESSION
A. Waheed1, M. S. Khan2 and M. M. Tariq3
1Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan
2Institute of Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
3CASVAB, University of Baluchistan, Quetta, Pakistan
Corresponding author: dobaara@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Choice experiments with 64 choice sets of six attributes (each at two levels) of Beetal goats were performed. Randomly chosen choice sets were used in eight blocks, each with 8 choice sets. Eight choice sets of female and 8 for males were presented to each farmer and 32 farmers were surveyed. The data thus obtained in the form of “selected” or “not selected’ were put to analysis using Logistic regression in binary form. Farmers showed greater inclination towards economically important traits and showed lesser concern to beauty traits & body size. It is therefore suggested that for maximizing economic benefits, the goats should be kept and bred keeping in view the farmers’ preferences.
Key words: Choice experiments, Beetal goats, logistic regression, farmer preference.
INTRODUCTION
Goat is an important livestock species serving the humanity in many ways by providing red meat, milk, skins, recreation and pet services. The animal possess a number attributes for selection. Each farmer has its own choice of attributes and rear animal for specific purpose. Though, height, weight, length, milk production being quantitative are given more emphasis yet skin colour, presence/absence of horns, multiple kidding and price per head are not ignored by the farmer. There are a number of ways to investigate farmer’s preferences. One of the approaches is to ask farmers to classify traits into different categories on the basis of importance moving from important to unimportant or ranking the traits according to their importance, the most important being on the top (Mwacharo and Drucker, 2005). Some researchers have described the farmer’s preferences about the relative importance of traits (Scarpa et al., 2003; Tano et al., 2003). Stated preferences for Ankole cattle, for example, were studied by Wurzinger et al. (2006) using the choice experiments while lifestyle and herding practices were investigated by Wurzinger et al. (2008).
Computers revolutionized the research work. Traditionally, general linear models were extended to construct choice design, but computers made this process easy and efficient. This machine increased the design efficiency by incorporating the anticipated model parameters and reducing the number of required choices to a considerable limit. Complex choice designs can be easily generated, allowing research worker to conduct choice experiments that more closely reflect actual market situations. Model and design modifications and trade-offs between a design’s statistical benefits and its operational and behavioral costs can be well considered (Kuhfeld, 2005).
Other aspects of Beetal goats’ characterization have been explored (Waheed, 2011) including growth (Waheed et al., 2011) and, lactation curve (Waheed and Khan, 2013). Preference of farmer for certain traits of this breed was to be investigated. Hence Beetal breed was the target of this study and used as a case study. The breed is important and plays a significant role in the lives of rural people and goat keepers serving a number of purposes like meat and milk. The breed is known for its large size, typical coat colours and milk production. Mainly found in the province of Punjab, it has been taken to other provinces for rearing as meat and milk animal. It is also most preferred breed for sacrificial purpose. Twinning is also common in this breed. The objective of the study was to gain firsthand knowledge of farmers’ perception about Beetal goats and their production. |
