African smallholder farmers and the treatment of livestock diseases using ethnoveterinary medicine: A commentary

Abstract

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Abstract Often touted as an ancient and sustainable practice among indigenous livestock farmers in developing countries, the use of ethno-veterinary medicine is examined within the context of its efficacy. While there are undoubtedly positive implications for adopting knowledge and practice that align with nature, there is both prevalence and ambivalence to the adoption of indigenous plant knowledge and resources for the treatment of livestock infections and diseases. This situation is due to the lack of validation and standardization of the practice in low-income countries, requiring scholarly efforts in developing this indigenous knowledge system. This is a short communication piece that provides a commentary on the issues that pertain to ethno-veterinary practice among rural livestock farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.

Keywords

• Ethno-veterinary medicine
• Efficacy
• Livestock infections
• Treatment
• Smallholder farmer
• Indigenous plant knowledge