A survey of rural farming practice in two provinces in Kenya

Abstract

A total of 558 farmers were interviewed in the counties of Kakamega and Machakos in Kenya during 2007–08 regarding their attitudes and practices relating to livestock diseases and their recognition and 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 the respondents 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.