Biosecurity compliance on broiler farms and livestock farmer advisors’ knowledge of biosecurity in Cameroon

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Biosecurity is a key strategy for reducing poultry diseases and increasing farm productivity and profitability. In Cameroon where infectious diseases represent one of the main constraint in poultry sector, data on on-farm biosecurity implementation is scarce. This study assessed livestock farmers' advisors' knowledge of biosecurity and evaluated biosecurity compliance on Cameroonian broiler farms. From February to October 2024, biosecurity compliance was evaluated on 153 broiler farms across four regions (North, Adamawa, East, Centre) using face-to-face Biocheck.UGent® interviews while 169 livestock advisors from all the ten regions were surveyed through an online questionnaire. RESULTS: The overall average biosecurity score of broiler farms was 51 out of 100 with 58.8% of farms scored ≥ 50. Internal biosecurity (mean 56) was better implemented than external biosecurity (mean 49). Mortality rate was significantly (p < 0.001) higher (4.63 ± 3.19%) in farms with poor biosecurity compared to others (2.89 ± 2.01%). Concerning the survey of advisors, the majority of respondents were veterinary doctors (36.1%) and zoo-technicians (30.2%). Most of the farmers' advisors had very good knowledge of biosecurity but their knowledge was weak on animal biosecurity legislation in force in Cameroon. For example, few advisors knew sheep pox (87.1%) and infectious bursal disease (79.9%) were notifiable diseases in Cameroon. Public-sector advisors had significantly higher knowledge scores of biosecurity legislation than private-sector advisors (p = 0.03). Advisors identified farmers' lack of training (34.3%) and lack of knowledge about biosecurity importance (31.4%) as the main barriers to biosecurity implementation in the farms. CONCLUSION: The findings showed that advisors can be used to raise awareness and train livestock farmers to improve biosecurity implementation. In addition, they underscore the need to enhance biosecurity training for both farmers and advisors, emphasizing the importance of measures and relevant Cameroonian regulations.