Cost–benefit analysis of a disease control programme with special reference to ticks and tick-borne diseases in the former Venda region

Abstract

This study is based on a cross-sectional survey of 125 small-scale cattle farmers interviewed in the Venda region of the Limpopo Province of South Africa. It revealed a 3 per cent mortality rate in spite of the existence of a dipping programme. Cost–benefit analysis revealed a cost–benefit ratio of 0.8 (i.e. <1) indicating that the control of ticks and tick-borne diseases by the government is not economically justified. However, because of the broader socio-economic benefits it provides, the dipping of cattle still deserves governmental support. In addition, the provision of tick control services by the government leads to a socially optimal level of supply of animal health services in general. Sensitivity analysis gives a cost–benefit ratio of 1.2 when it is assumed that the mortality rate would have been 10 per cent without the control programme.

The financial support and comments the author received from former colleagues in the Unit for Development Impact Analysis of the Agricultural Research Council are acknowledged with thanks. In addition, he thanks Mr A Spickett for his valuable inputs and comments, particularly in the initial stages of the survey.