Project – Smallholder Poultry Farmers’ Adoption of Biosecurity Practices and Reduction of Disease Outbreaks: A Study of Poultry Farms in Ogun State

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Poultry production is an important component of Nigeria’s livestock sector because it contributes to food supply, employment, household income and the availability of animal protein. Smallholder poultry farming is particularly important because it provides livelihood opportunities for households with relatively limited land and capital resources. However, the sustainability and profitability of poultry enterprises are significantly threatened by infectious diseases, which can cause mortality, reduced growth, lower egg production, increased treatment costs and loss of investment. Newcastle disease, infectious bursal disease, avian infectious bronchitis and other infectious diseases have been identified as important constraints to poultry production in Nigeria, with disease outbreaks capable of producing substantial economic losses for farmers (Nwanta et al., 2008; Abolnik et al., 2021). In this context, preventing disease introduction and transmission is essential for improving the productivity and economic sustainability of smallholder poultry enterprises.

Biosecurity is one of the most important approaches to disease prevention in poultry production. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) defines biosecurity as a combination of management and physical measures designed to reduce the risk of introduction, establishment and spread of animal diseases, infections or infestations within animal populations. In poultry farming, biosecurity involves measures such as controlling movement of people and vehicles, restricting visitors, cleaning and disinfection, proper disposal of dead birds, rodent and pest control, isolation or quarantine of new or sick birds, maintaining appropriate separation between flocks, and ensuring hygienic feed and water management. WOAH emphasizes that prevention is generally more feasible and economically advantageous than attempting to control infectious agents after they have become established on poultry farms (WOAH, 2024).

The importance of biosecurity is particularly evident in smallholder poultry systems because farmers may operate with limited infrastructure, technical knowledge and financial resources. Smallholder poultry farmers may purchase birds from different sources, allow visitors and traders to enter poultry premises, keep birds of different ages or species together, reuse equipment without adequate disinfection, or dispose of dead birds in ways that facilitate disease transmission. A recent review of infectious poultry diseases in African smallholder systems identified isolation, traffic control and sanitation as major components of appropriate poultry biosecurity. The review further noted that although biosecurity is a major disease-control strategy in intensive poultry production, evidence and practical guidance specifically adapted to resource-constrained smallholder systems remain comparatively limited (Alders et al., 2024). Therefore, the adoption of practical and affordable biosecurity measures by smallholder farmers is an important component of reducing disease risks at farm level.

Disease outbreaks can have consequences that extend beyond individual bird mortality to the overall economic viability of poultry enterprises. In Nigeria, Newcastle disease and infectious bursal disease have been identified as major poultry diseases associated with illness, mortality, reduced productivity and financial losses. Abolnik et al. (2021) reported that Newcastle disease, infectious bursal disease and avian infectious bronchitis remain important threats to sustainable poultry production in Nigeria. Historical estimates have also shown considerable economic losses associated with poultry disease outbreaks. Beyond the direct loss of birds, farmers may incur additional costs through veterinary services, medications, vaccination, disposal of dead birds, replacement of stock and reduced market opportunities. Consequently, effective biosecurity should be understood not merely as a veterinary requirement but also as an economic risk-management strategy for poultry farmers (Abolnik et al., 2021; Nwanta et al., 2008).

Evidence from Nigeria demonstrates that the implementation of biosecurity practices is associated with differences in disease occurrence. Maduka et al. (2016), in their assessment of commercial poultry farms in Jos, Nigeria, found a strong negative correlation between biosecurity scores and disease outbreaks, indicating a tendency for disease outbreaks to decrease as biosecurity levels increased. The researchers also observed weaknesses in some biosecurity practices and emphasized the importance of providing farmers with appropriate information to strengthen disease prevention. Similarly, research examining poultry farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning avian influenza in Nigeria has demonstrated that socioeconomic and behavioural characteristics can influence farmers’ biosecurity practices and perceptions of disease transmission risks (Okpukpara, 2016). These findings indicate that the effectiveness of disease prevention depends not only on the availability of biosecurity recommendations but also on the willingness and capacity of farmers to consistently implement them.

The situation is particularly relevant to Ogun State because poultry production constitutes an important agricultural activity in the state, while empirical evidence indicates the presence of several economically important poultry diseases. Bello et al. (2023), in a study covering the four geographical zones of Ogun State, found that 67% of surveyed poultry farms had experienced disease occurrence and reported Newcastle disease and Escherichia coli among the important diseases identified. The study further indicated that Ogun State had a high risk of Newcastle and Gumboro diseases and recommended that poultry farmers maintain high levels of structural and operational biosecurity. More recently, Akinlade and Okusanya (2024) reported high occurrence of Newcastle disease, coccidiosis, chronic respiratory disease and infectious bursal disease among poultry farms in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State. These findings demonstrate that disease prevention remains a significant concern for poultry farmers in the state and that effective biosecurity deserves greater attention.

Despite the recognized importance of biosecurity, evidence from Ogun State suggests that the adoption and consistent utilization of recommended practices may remain inadequate. A 2025 study of 286 poultry farmers in Ogun State found that although farmers were favourably disposed towards biosecurity, 71.1% had low utilization of biosecurity measures against avian epidemic threats. The study also identified education and style of rearing as factors significantly associated with farmers’ disposition towards biosecurity and recommended regular training of poultry farmers. Similarly, a South-West Nigeria assessment found low adherence to several standard external and internal biosecurity measures, including visitor and personnel control, cleaning and disinfection, and disease management practices (Koleoso, 2025; Oyebanji et al., 2024). These findings create an important research concern: if smallholder poultry farmers do not consistently adopt appropriate biosecurity practices, the risk of disease introduction and transmission may remain high. It is therefore necessary to empirically examine the level of adoption of biosecurity practices among smallholder poultry farmers in Ogun State and determine whether such adoption is associated with a reduction in disease outbreaks.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Poultry farming provides an important source of livelihood and food production, but disease outbreaks remain one of the major challenges confronting poultry farmers in Nigeria. Infectious diseases such as Newcastle disease, infectious bursal disease, infectious bronchitis and bacterial infections can cause mortality, poor growth, reduced egg production and financial losses. The persistence of these diseases demonstrates that vaccination and treatment alone may not be sufficient to protect poultry populations because infectious agents can be introduced and disseminated through birds, people, equipment, vehicles, feed, water and contaminated environments. WOAH therefore identifies biosecurity as a central component of preventing the introduction and spread of infectious agents in poultry production (WOAH, 2024).

A major concern is that the existence of biosecurity recommendations does not necessarily translate into consistent adoption by farmers. Smallholder farmers may face challenges related to limited financial resources, inadequate knowledge, weak veterinary support, inadequate farm infrastructure and perceptions that some biosecurity measures are unnecessary or expensive. Evidence from Ogun State reinforces this concern. Bello et al. (2023) found that a substantial proportion of poultry farms surveyed in the state had experienced disease occurrence and identified a high risk of Newcastle and Gumboro diseases. More recently, Koleoso (2025) reported that 71.1% of poultry farmers studied in Ogun State had low utilization of biosecurity measures despite their generally favourable disposition towards biosecurity. This indicates a possible gap between farmers’ recognition of the importance of disease prevention and their actual implementation of recommended practices.

The consequences of inadequate biosecurity may be particularly serious for smallholder poultry farmers because a disease outbreak can affect the economic viability of a relatively small enterprise. Mortality, medication expenses, vaccination costs, reduced productivity and the need to replace affected birds can rapidly reduce farm income. Evidence from Nigeria shows that stronger biosecurity is associated with lower disease-outbreak risk. Maduka et al. (2016) reported a strong negative relationship between farm biosecurity scores and disease outbreaks, while Abolnik et al. (2021) emphasized the continuing economic and production consequences of important poultry viral diseases in Nigeria. However, the existence of such evidence does not establish the actual situation among smallholder poultry farms in Ogun State, where production systems, management practices, disease risks and farmer characteristics may differ from those in other parts of Nigeria.

The specific problem, therefore, is the limited empirical evidence on the extent to which smallholder poultry farmers’ adoption of biosecurity practices contributes to the reduction of disease outbreaks in Ogun State. Existing studies in Ogun State have documented the occurrence and distribution of poultry diseases, farmers’ disposition towards biosecurity and selected biosecurity practices, but there remains a need to connect the level of adoption of specific biosecurity measures with reported disease-outbreak experience among smallholder farmers. Akinlade and Okusanya (2024) identified high prevalence of several poultry diseases in Yewa South, while Koleoso (2025) found low utilization of biosecurity measures among many farmers in Ogun State. Consequently, there is a need for a focused study that examines the biosecurity practices adopted by smallholder poultry farmers, identifies the factors influencing adoption, determines the extent of disease outbreaks experienced and establishes whether adoption of biosecurity practices significantly contributes to reducing disease outbreaks.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to examine smallholder poultry farmers’ adoption of biosecurity practices and the reduction of disease outbreaks among poultry farms in Ogun State.

The specific objectives are to:

1. examine the level of adoption of biosecurity practices among smallholder poultry farmers in Ogun State;
2. identify the major biosecurity practices adopted by smallholder poultry farmers in the study area;
3. determine the major poultry diseases experienced by smallholder poultry farmers in Ogun State;
4. assess the frequency and extent of disease outbreaks among smallholder poultry farms;

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will guide the study:

1. What is the level of adoption of biosecurity practices among smallholder poultry farmers in Ogun State?
2. What are the major biosecurity practices adopted by smallholder poultry farmers in the study area?
3. What are the major poultry diseases experienced by smallholder poultry farmers in Ogun State?
4. What is the frequency and extent of disease outbreaks among smallholder poultry farms?

1.5 Hypothesis

The following null hypothesis will be tested at the 0.05 level of significance:

H₀: Adoption of biosecurity practices has no significant effect on the reduction of disease outbreaks among smallholder poultry farmers in Ogun State.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study will be significant to smallholder poultry farmers because it will provide information on practical biosecurity measures that can reduce the risk of disease introduction and spread. The findings may help farmers appreciate the economic importance of preventive measures such as farm sanitation, visitor control, isolation of sick birds, proper disposal of carcasses, disinfection and appropriate management of new birds.

The study will also be useful to veterinary doctors and animal-health practitioners. Findings from the study may provide evidence concerning the biosecurity gaps that exist among smallholder poultry farms. This information can assist veterinary personnel in designing more targeted disease-prevention programmes and farmer-training interventions.

The study will be beneficial to agricultural extension officers because it may identify knowledge and behavioural factors that influence the adoption of biosecurity practices. Extension personnel can use such information to develop farmer education programmes, demonstrations and advisory services that emphasize practical and affordable disease-prevention measures.

The findings will also be useful to Ogun State agricultural and livestock authorities. Evidence from the study may support the development of policies and programmes aimed at strengthening poultry disease surveillance, farmer education, vaccination compliance and farm-level biosecurity. It may also help authorities identify areas where veterinary and extension services require greater attention.

The study will be relevant to poultry associations and farmer organizations because it may provide evidence that can be used to promote collective disease-prevention practices. Since disease transmission can occur between neighbouring farms through people, birds, equipment and other pathways, coordinated biosecurity awareness among farmers may be more effective than isolated action by individual farms.

The study will also contribute to animal-health and poultry-production research by providing empirical evidence from Ogun State. Although previous Nigerian studies have examined poultry diseases and biosecurity, this study specifically links smallholder farmers’ adoption of biosecurity practices with the reduction of disease outbreaks.

Finally, the study will serve as a useful reference for students and future researchers interested in poultry production, agricultural extension, veterinary public health, animal disease control and farm biosecurity. It may provide a basis for further studies in other states, poultry production systems and livestock enterprises.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study focuses on smallholder poultry farmers’ adoption of biosecurity practices and the reduction of disease outbreaks among poultry farms in Ogun State, Nigeria.

The study is conceptually limited to biosecurity practices such as restriction of farm visitors, control of movement, cleaning and disinfection, isolation and quarantine of birds, vaccination, rodent and pest control, proper disposal of dead birds, sanitation of equipment, management of feed and water, and separation of birds of different ages or species.

The study will also examine disease-outbreak experience among poultry farmers, including the occurrence, frequency and perceived effects of common poultry diseases. The study will consider factors such as farmers’ educational level, farming experience, access to veterinary services, access to extension information, farm size and awareness of biosecurity practices as possible factors influencing adoption.

Geographically, the study is restricted to selected smallholder poultry farms in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study focuses specifically on smallholder poultry farmers and does not primarily target large integrated commercial poultry companies.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Adoption: The actual acceptance and regular application of recommended biosecurity practices by a poultry farmer.

Biosecurity: Management and physical measures used to reduce the risk of introduction, establishment and spread of infectious diseases within and between poultry farms.

Biosecurity Practices: Specific preventive activities undertaken by poultry farmers to minimize disease risks, including sanitation, disinfection, movement control, quarantine, isolation, vaccination, pest control and proper disposal of dead birds.

Disease Outbreak: The occurrence of a poultry disease within a flock or farm at a level that results in identifiable illness, mortality, reduced productivity or other adverse effects.

Disease Reduction: A decrease in the occurrence, frequency, severity or consequences of poultry disease outbreaks following the implementation of preventive measures.

Poultry Farmers: Individuals who keep and manage domesticated birds such as chickens for purposes including egg production, meat production, breeding or income generation.

Smallholder Poultry Farmer: A poultry farmer operating a relatively small-scale poultry enterprise with limited production resources compared with large-scale or highly integrated commercial poultry operations.

Disease Prevention: Actions taken to prevent infectious agents from entering a poultry flock or spreading within or between poultry farms.

Quarantine: The practice of keeping newly introduced or potentially exposed birds separately for a specified period to prevent the introduction of infectious diseases into an established flock.

Isolation: Separating sick or suspected infected birds from healthy birds to minimize the transmission of infectious agents.

Farm Sanitation: The maintenance of hygienic conditions in poultry houses, equipment, surroundings, feed and water systems to minimize contamination and disease transmission.

Project – Smallholder Poultry Farmers’ Adoption of Biosecurity Practices and Reduction of Disease Outbreaks: A Study of Poultry Farms in Ogun State