An Analysis Of Farmers’ And Traders’ Awareness, Perceptions And Effect Of Chicken Value Chain Practices On Newcastle Disease Outbreaks In Kenya

Abstract

Newcastle disease (ND) is a major challenge affecting chicken production in Kenya. It causes mortalities of 80 to 100 percent, depriving farmers and traders of their sources of livelihood. The disease is the main challenge for farmers who rear indigenous chicken under the free-range production system. It is unclear how farmers and traders manage ND under the prevailing value chain systems due to lack of uniformity in husbandry, marketing and production practices. Farmers’ and traders’ awareness levels of the disease and its mitigation are relatively undefined. This leads to flaws in value chain practices, thereby increasing the frequency of disease outbreaks. Whereas evidence of control of the disease in commercial chicken is well documented, the challenge remains the control of ND in free range production systems. There exists limited information on how the chicken value chain practices influence the frequency of ND as farmers and traders manage their flocks differently. To address these gaps, this study analyzed the level of awareness, perceptions and factors influencing ND among farmers and traders as well as the effects of chicken value chain practices on the frequency of ND outbreaks in Kenya. Primary data was collected from 332 chicken rearing farmers in Kakamega and Machakos Counties as well as 336 traders in live bird markets in Kakamega, Machakos and Nairobi Counties. Descriptive statistics, the chi-square statistic, binary logit model and the Poisson regression model (PRM) were applied in the data analysis. Results showed a gender difference between chicken production and marketing activities. Chicken production was dominated by women while the marketing was dominated by men. Access to institutional support services like extension, training and credit was low among farmers and traders across the three Counties. Household type, extension, training, group membership and marital status were found to significantly influence the likelihood of chicken farmers being aware of ND. For traders, experience, group membership, age, gender and marital status were found to significantly influence the likelihood of ND awareness. The chi- v square test results showed that practices like record keeping and market channels used to source birds had significant association with farmers’ perception on ND during outbreaks. Similarly, practices like market channels used to source birds, form of birds sold, mode of transportation, origin of birds, availability of designated slaughter points, waste disposal and housing of birds were also found to have significant association with traders’ perception on ND during outbreaks. From the PRM, flock size and age of birds were found to have positive effects while source of birds, form of housing, housing composition, frequency of cleaning shelter, screening of birds, mixed production system as well as farmer attributes like access to extension were found to have negative effects on the frequency of ND outbreaks among farmers. Among traders, practices like breed composition, form of birds, sale of other poultry species, use of motorcycle/ bicycle, mixing of birds, slaughter of birds and housing were found to have a positive effect while source of birds, origin of birds, disposal of waste as well as trader attributes like access to animal health training, licensing and gender had negative effects on the frequency of ND outbreaks. Based on the findings from this study, Kakamega and Machakos Counties should implement programs to recruit and deploy extension officers to facilitate delivery of information and extension. This will help improve the dissemination of information regarding chicken disease, good husbandry technologies and marketing practices. Credit service providers need to create affordable services and packages that target small-scale chicken farmers and traders. County governments can also establish funds that are tailored for agricultural activities where chicken farmers and traders can borrow and make payments. This will help investment in better production and marketing practices. There is need to create more awareness among chicken farmers and traders on aspects like disease detection and symptoms of ND, disease response strategies as well as mitigation measures during outbreaks. From the findings, it is evident that form of housing, mode of feeding and flock composition under housing play a role on outbreaks of ND. Farmers should be sensitized on the need to adopt and vi invest in better feeding practices for chicken as well as proper housing for chicken. Adoption of the practices will reduce the likelihood of birds coming into contact with disease spreading pathogens such as germs and wild birds. This can be done through group trainings where participants can be trained on better practices that help reduce outbreaks. County governments of Kakamega and Machakos should also develop relevant infrastructure such as vaccine storage facilities at sub Counties to facilitate efficient cold chain systems for good quality and effective vaccine delivery. Results from the PRM highlight transportation, the slaughter of birds within the market place and poor disposal of waste as practices that contribute to the increased frequency of ND in markets. The County governments can prioritize invest in market infrastructure through construction and provision of market facilities such as designated slaughter points, shelters to house birds within the market place and waste disposal equipment such as waste bins within the LBMs. There is also need of authorities in charge of live bird markets to ensure the enforcement and compliance of biosecurity, sanitation and hygiene practices within the markets. This can be done through regular inspection and monitoring of markets by animal health officials. Keywords: Chicken management, marketing, live bird markets, Newcastle Disease.