Natural Savannah Systems Within the “One Health and One Welfare” Approach: Part 2- Sociodemographic, Biogeographical and Institution Factors Impacting Relationships Between Farmers and Livestock

The relationships between farmers and livestock are multifaceted. The aim of this study was to describe the sociodemographic, biogeographic, and institutional factors that influence the relationships between humans and animals in the natural savannah. Visits were made to 65 farms, followed by interviews (n=13) and three focus groups (n=24) directed at farmers and institutional representatives. The results were triangulated to extract the key findings. It was found that: a) cultural gender transitions and lack of generational succession have transformed livestock farming, b) the relationships between farmers and livestock have favoured the implementation of new productive practices and innovations, as well as improvements in animal welfare practices, c) conditioning factors affecting these relationships include gender discriminatory norms, low profitability and credit access, poor sanitation, animal handling infrastructure, security, and resistance to change, d) improvement opportunities include: the inclusion of young people and women in livestock farming, education for work practises, credit facilitation, access to technologies, governance, and improvement in the cattle logistics chain. The results are useful for enhancing the relationships between farmers and livestock, guiding training activities, and responsible governance.