Adoption of Biosecurity Practices among Poultry Farmers in Punjab, Pakistan

Strengthening biosecurity on poultry farms is crucial to mitigate the risk of infectious diseases like avian influenza, which can have far-reaching economic and public health implications. The poultry industry's resilience depends on robust biosecurity practices as a vital component of the country's agricultural sector and food supply. This study was conducted in District Rawalpindi of Punjab province, where 1715 poultry farms were identified. The study was mainly focused on 315 poultry farms selected out of 1715 using the proportionate sampling technique. Managers of these selected 315 farms were interviewed using a structured interview schedule. Collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results revealed a varying level of awareness among different type of poultry keepers. Farmers demonstrated high awareness of vaccination protocols (98.41% and 98.42%), their knowledge of other essential measures, such as fumigation, disinfection, and nutritional supplements, was significantly lower (53.33% to 69.84%). However, awareness and adoption of biosecurity measures were higher among environmentally controlled poultry farms. This study recommends an awareness campaign for poultry farmers using a collaborative approach among veterinary services providers, academia, and research organizations.