A survey of agricultural production, livestock disease treatment and vaccination in rural farming communities in two provinces of Kenya
Abstract
The overall objective of this study was to characterise the status of smallholder livestock production systems in Kenya, in order to generate information to assist in the design and targeting of veterinary medicines for rural livestock keepers. The first part of the study focused on the demographics and the contribution of different crops and livestock to household income and the second part concentrated on livestock disease recognition and its management.
Most respondents regarded East Coast fever (ECF), contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) and Newcastle Disease (ND) as the most important diseases of cattle, small ruminants and chickens respectively. There was a high degree of awareness and past use of vaccines and treatments for a number of cattle diseases and these activities were most likely to be carried out by a veterinarian. There was less use of vaccines in small ruminants and chickens but disease treatments were commonly used. Poultry vaccines were purchased from veterinarians and from Agrovet shops. Less than half the respondents believed vaccines to be effective but few reported suspected ineffective vaccinations to a veterinary officer. Most respondents (Kakamega only) were willing to pay up to 5Ksh, 10Ksh and 20Ksh for chicken, small ruminant and cattle vaccines respectively. Respondents preferred the administration of poultry vaccines to be via drinking water and most preferred vaccination on an individual farm basis rather than group vaccination activities. Almost all expressed the need for training in poultry vaccination. Respondents expressed a preference for vaccine pack sizes of less than 50 doses and for the availability of thermo-tolerant vaccines.
Citation
Biotechnology Trust Africa. A survey of agricultural production, livestock disease treatment and vaccination in rural farming communities in two provinces of Kenya. (2011) 28 pp.
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