Analysis of African Swine Fever epidemiology and pig value chains to underpin design of an ASF risk management strategy on the Kenya‐Uganda border

Closing workshop of the BecA‐ILRI‐CSIRO‐AusAID project (2011‐13): Understanding ASF epidemiology as a basis for control

2nd‐3rd October, 2013. Sarova PanAfric Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya

Project Presentation: Noelina NantimaMAAIF, Uganda

Pathways for change: biosecurity to enhance food security and strengthen animal industries

Pathways for change: biosecurity to enhance food security and t th i l i d t istrengthen animal industries 

Noelina NantimaNoelina NantimaMinistry of Agriculture, Animal Industry 

d Fi h i U dand Fisheries, Uganda

OutlineOutline

1. Introduction2. Objective of the study2. Objective of the study3. Significance of the study4. Materials and Methods5 Results5. Results6. Implications for ASF control7. Way forward

1 0 Introduction1.0 Introduction• Pig rearing has considerable potential in raising household incomes of the rural small holder poor farmersfarmers

• Outbreaks of ASF hampering the development of the ipig sector 

• Almost all pigs that get affected by ASF die leading to p g g y gloss of income and food security

• Current strategies to control ASF are aimed at• Current strategies to control ASF are aimed at improving biosecurity

2 0 Objective of the study2.0 Objective of the study

To assess small holder pig farmers awareness, knowledge and perception of appropriate ASF biosecurity practices

Study Areaand feasibility of adoption in four neighboring districts along the Uganda-Kenya boarder

• Uganda• Busia & Tororo districts • Kenya• Teso & Busia districts

Wh f ibl bi it ?3.0. Significance

Only good biosecurity will Why assess feasible biosecurity measures?

y g yprevent spread of ASF

Farmer awareness of ASF biosecurity is a prerequisite for adoption

Smallholder capacity toSmallholder capacity to adopt ASF biosecurity 

kmeasures was unknown Farmer Jennifer Swara using a disinfectant foot bath for the first time

4.0 Materials and Methods• The project developed simple 

4.0 Materials and Methods

biosecurity messages to explain how ASF virus spreads and simple measures to control it

• Messages were developed on aMessages were developed on a poster calendar

• Poster calendar produced for• Poster calendar produced for Kenya and for Uganda

• Translated messages into local languagesg g

7|

Uganda-LugandaUganda-Luganda, Samia, Ateso, JaphadolaJaphadolaKenya-Swahili, Samia Ateso LuoSamia, Ateso, Luo-Calendar distributed after the cross-after the cross-sectional study to avoid biasavoid bias-Meetings held to explain the messagesexplain the messages to the farmers‘

In the study site, farmers were not conscious that

In the study site, pigs are tethered some of the time, never  were not conscious that 

ASF virus could be spread by  infected pigs getting in contact with healthy pigs or

,housed,  some free range during the night  and some after contact with healthy pigs or 

by people movement/on people’s feet

gcrop harvest 

In the study site , 25% of farms fed 

In the study site, farmers  said  5% of farms fed

their pigs on swill in addition to 

that they used swill that does not contain porkother food stuffs not contain pork

In the study site, farmers  were not aware 

that pigs looking• Farmers said that it is 

good to isolate pigs but  that pigs looking apparently healthy 

could be incubating ASF

g p git is not be possible for breeding boars  g

In the study site, farmers  said that they have never

In the study site , 4% of farmers said that they have never 

heard about disinfectants nor  knew that they are 

interviewed  said that they use  disinfectants on theirsupposed to be used disinfectants on their farms

• In the study site, farmers  were not aware that ASFV can

Some farmers said  that when pigs die, they slaughter and share meat with neighbors and aware that ASFV can 

be spread through infected dead pigs or 

meat with neighbors and relatives and sell the balance. it is a taboo to bury pigs, it is throwing away luck and wealth, 

id i i h ip g

pork or bones some said it is throwing away food and money. Some said they throw in the bush.

In the study site , farmers were not aware that they 

d i k• In the study site, farmers  said that  

supposed to report sick pigs to the vet. 6% said they have ever reported

there no vets in some area/vets are too few & do not take action when contacted charge farmers & putthey have ever reported  contacted, charge farmers & put quarantines , farmers have no benefit in reporting ASFp g

4.0. Materials & Methods

F G Di i• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) held to test and

t f db k f fStudy Area

get feedback from farmers on the messages24 FGD i 13 ill• 24 FGDs in 13 villages

• Villages selected i l b dpurposively based on;

• -poor and less poorill f di d t• -swill feeding and not

• -near main town and more tremote

• ASF outbreak and no ASF

Farmer focus group about biosecurityAlupe village, Uganda

4.0. Materials &  m p g , g

Methods• Developed check• Developed check list to guide  FGDs

• Conducted the FGDsFGDs

• Meetings of 8‐12 l b hpeople both men 

and women• 2 interviews 

separate men&separate men& women 

5.0 RESULTS 5.1 Number of villages aware of each message

Number of villages with at least some people who wereNumber of villages with at least some people who were aware of the biosecurity message.highest awareness was movement of pigshighest awareness was movement of pigs

8

5

6

7

llage

s

2

3

4

ber o

f vil

0

1

Confine pigs Feeding Bringing new pigs on the

Reporting Cleaning Disposal of dead pigs

Movement of pigs

Num

b

pigs on the farm

dead pigs pigs 

5.2. Level of awareness5.2. Level of awareness Number of villages with at least some people who were g p paware of the biosecurity message.

6

grou

ps held

5

The level of awareness f bi it

here fo

cus g

3

4 of biosecurity messages was generally very low

of villages wh

2

Num

ber o

0

1

Number of messages

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

5 3 Capacity to change5.3 Capacity to change• Farmers said they are willing to do something but itsomething but it needs institutional change 

5.3 Capacity to changep y gWhat people need to improve

• Provide better breeds that What people need to improve

mature fast• Construct model pig units• Construct model pig units• Provide learning Aids.• Provide ready market for 

selling pigsselling pigs

5.3 Capacity to changep y gWhat people need to improve

• Provide technical advice on What people need to improve

pig keeping, treatment and disease control

• Provide loan facilities through microfinancethrough microfinance institutions (feeds, drugs)

• Compensate farmers when they lose pigs due to ASFthey lose pigs due to ASF

5.3 Capacity to changep y gWhat people need to improve

• Provide regular training to farmers in good pig

What people need to improve

farmers in good pig farming practices

• Compensate farmers when they lose pigs duewhen they lose pigs due to ASFI il bilit d• Increase availability and accessibility of affordable veterinary services

6 0 Implications for ASF Control6.0 Implications for ASF Control

G ll f t f• Generally farmers were not aware of most of the biosecurity measures (avermost of the biosecurity measures (aver 77.7%) this could be one of the reasons why there are sporadic outbreaks of ASFD l h li ti d ti i t• Develop a holistic and participatory approach in the designing, developmentapproach in the designing, development and implementation of feasible biosecurity practices

6 0 Implications for ASF Control6.0 Implications for ASF Control

T d t d h t f k d i• To understand what farmers know and perceive as barriers to adoption of biosecurity. p y

• If farmers do not understand and appreciate, they will not adopt  biosecurity practices.N d f l iti ti d t i i f• Need for regular sensitization and training of farmers on the importance of biosecurity in the p yprevention and control of ASF

7 0 Way Forward7.0 Way Forward• Involve all stakeholders in ASF control; farmers, ; ,traders, butchers, services providers (private, government) agro vets NGOs law enforcementgovernment), agro vets, NGOs, law enforcement, consumers etc.

• What innovations could help farmers to change?compensation?compensation?insurance for pig farmers? f h ?incentives to farmers who report?Construction of an abbattoir where sick pigs could p gbe proceeded properly to kill the virus n the prok is sold

ASF PROJECT TEAMASF PROJECT TEAM