ارزش قائل شدن برای نژاد بومی گاوها در کنیا: مقایسه تجربی عملکرد و برآورد ارزش عملکردی آشکار

In this study we compare revealed and stated-preference approaches to value traits of cattle in Kenya. The premise is that much can be learnt about non-market values of indigenous animal genetic resources (AnGR) from the use of multi-attribute stated-preference methods, if these compare well with revealed-preference results. The objective is to investigate the performance of choice experiments (CEs) in Maasai cattle trading, by conducting an external test of preference consistency. We compare value estimates for cattle attributes from CEs data with those from hedonic analysis of actual transactions by the same population of traders, in the same markets and over the same period. If CEs perform well, they can be used to investigate values of those genetically-determined livestock traits currently not prominent in pastoralists’ populations, but desirable candidates for breeding or conservation programmes (e.g. disease resistance). The results indicate that CE estimates pass the external test and appear to be adequately precise in estimating values for cattle traits that are relevant in market transactions for Maasai traders. Accounting for taste and variance heterogeneity does not change this conclusion. CEs may, therefore, be a promising tool for valuing phenotypic traits expressed by indigenous AnGR.

Of all the forms of biodiversity, the one that is most important to human kind is probably that upon which we rely for food. The conservation and correct assessment of existing biodiversity of plants and animals employed in agriculture is paramount for sustainable development. Following the aims declared in the Convention on Biological Diversity (Convention on Biological Diversity, 2000), many national and international public agencies are now committed to the challenge of conservation of biodiversity and its genetic base.

The Convention on Biological Diversity is encouraging a series of actions aimed at supporting or promoting conservation, sustainable use and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. These necessitate assessment of the economic value of biological diversity, particularly of biological resources important for livelihood. The valuation of AnGR is necessary to fulfill this objective, but very problematic. Little work has been done in this specific field and this study moves into uncharted territory. Much of the indigenous livestock in developing countries, although extremely well adapted to local environments, is relatively unproductive if meat and milk are the only outputs considered. As a result, conventional economic analysis may tend to promote the introduction of exotic breeds. These exotic breeds often fail to deliver the expected long-term production improvements for a variety of reasons including their inferior resilience and adaptability. Yet, their introduction may dangerously displace or dilute indigenous AnGR, eroding the genetic integrity of well-adapted indigenous breeds.