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Improving backyard poultry husbandry and addressing avian disease risks through information and communication interventions in resource-poor communities in Morocco
Abstract
This study, conducted in Khemisset province, Morocco, investigates the impact of educational outreach on enhancing technical skills and transforming risky practices, attitudes, and behaviours among backyard poultry keepers to promote safe and controlled background poultry farming. Throughout the intervention trial, spanning from November 2020 to July 2021, 300 backyard poultry farmers from five rural counties participated. Before the intervention, data was gathered through a structured questionnaire and on-farm observations involving 160 poultry keepers. A follow-up assessment six months later included 118 trainees. Initially, baseline findings highlighted limited awareness among farmers regarding various aspects of poultry farming. However, after the educational intervention, significant improvements were noted in knowledge and practices related to confinement, shelter hygiene, disease transmission, and biosecurity. Notably, while knowledge enhancement was evident, changes in actual practices were more restrained. Statistical analyses identified factors such as age, gender, flock size, and income from poultry as influential in the adoption of recommended practices. The study underscores the effectiveness of education in elevating knowledge levels but acknowledges challenges in implementing recommended practices due to constraints such as limited resources, high costs, labour demands, inconvenience, stigma, and time constraints. The conclusion emphasizes the potential role of veterinary authorities and national extension services in conducting widespread education programs for backyard poultry keepers, with a call for community engagement to ensure the sustained application of acquired knowledge and practices.
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References
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DOI: 10.33687/ijae.011.03.4850
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Copyright (c) 2023 ASMA FAGRACH, Mohammed Kamal Challioui, Ibtissam El Zirani, Adnane Imghi, Oumaima Karroute, Faouzi Kichou, Siham Fellahi, Mohammed Bouslikhane
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