Assessment of poultry farmers' knowledge and biosecurity strategies utilised in Newcastle disease prevention and control in Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District

Abstract

Globally, the key role of biosecurity at farm level is to reduce the risk of introduction of diseases in livestock farms and prevent the disease transmission between animals on farms. It is an important management practice that impacts the profitability of poultry production ventures. This study was conducted to assess farmers’ knowledge and biosecurity strategies utilized in Newcastle disease prevention and control in 40 farms in Nansana Municipality, Wakiso district. A structured questionnaire and assessment tool were used through interactive interviews and direct observation respectively. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and tables were used to analyze and present data generated. The results revealed that majority of the farms were intensive system 80% (32/40). About 72.5% (29/40) were fenced and had other measures like wire mesh to prevent wild birds and other birds from accessing farm birds. Most of the farms 70% (28/40) had no footbaths indicating that the risk of disease introduction was high in such farms. The use of protective clothing and foot wear by farmers was observed on 77.5% (31/40) of the farms. Most of the farmers 92.5% (37/40) knew that disease can be introduced by new stock birds and quarantining new birds to the farm was practiced by 60% of respondents. Majority of the farmers 90% (36/40) knew that diseases can be introduced by people accessing the farm but 60% (24/40) of the farmers allowed vehicles to access the farm without any disinfection. The use of disinfectants to clean the farm equipment was practiced on 37.5% (15/40) of the farms. Overall, there was a high level of knowledge about farm biosecurity but a relatively low level of biosecurity implementation in the study area.