Exploring power and participation through informal livestock knowledge networks

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Epidemiology
• Social Sciences
• Community-Based Research

Background:

• Participatory epidemiology aims to engage communities in livestock health data collection.
• Critics highlight data extraction and power imbalances in participatory approaches.
• Rural livestock owners operate within complex social networks for information and resource exchange.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how Participatory Disease Surveillance (PDS) integrates with existing indigenous relationships.
• To analyze the nature of participation within a Gabra pastoralist community in Kenya.
• To understand the influence of relationships on participation in development projects.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative interviews were conducted with a Gabra pastoralist community.
• Empirical data on livestock health information exchange was gathered.
• Four pathway typologies of information exchange were identified and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Indigenous relationships form the basis for information exchange around livestock health.
• Participatory programmes can introduce new elements into these networks, subject to community acceptance.
• Social science approaches are crucial for understanding participation dynamics.

Conclusions:

• Successful participatory programmes depend on integrating with, rather than disrupting, existing social structures.
• The acceptance or rejection of new initiatives is mediated by established community relationships.
• Social science insights are vital for navigating the complexities of participation in development initiatives.