Effects of gumboro disease on productivity of poultry farmers in Ogun state, Nigeria
Main Article Content
Abstract
Infectious bursal disease (Gumboro) is a highly contagious viral disease of poultry that produces effects such as morbidity and mortality of the poultry birds which result in serious economic losses to the farmers as well as reduce their productivity. Data were collected with the aid of well-structured questionnaires to elicit information from 160 poultry farmers selected through multi stage random sampling technique. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ordinary least square regression (OLS). Findings showed that all the farms visited had at one time or the other had cases of gumboro disease, which affected birds of all ages with its attendant losses of over 60% of the population of the affected flock. The presence of vermin in the various farms shows that the causative virus is always present on the farm because they act as contaminated vectors that aided the transmission of the disease. Result of OLS estimation technique showed that age, education and farming experience were positive significant determinant of productivity. However, bird’s mortality, frequency of disease outbreak and cost of treatment of gumboro disease has the effect of declining farmers’ productivity. To ensure effective control and minimized economic losses, farmers were advised to use the combined measures of biosecurity/hygiene and vaccination against the gumboro disease, vermin of all sorts should be screen out of the poultry farms, extension agents should be encouraged and motivated to improves farmers’ knowledge in the management of disease control.