Name of Disease | Causal Organism Farm Animals Symptoms Control | Farm Animals Affected | Symptoms | Control |
Brucellosis | Bacterium/Brucella abortus | Cattle, Sheep,Goat, Pig, Camel, Horse, Donkey | Infertility/sterility - Inflammation of the womb -Reduced milk production - Retention after birth/ placenta - Abortion - Still birth | Routine vaccination -Avoid contact with aborted foetal material - Isolation of infected animals - Proper sanitation |
Aspergillosis | Fungus/Aspergillus fumigatus | Cattle - Poultry - Pig | Loss of weight/emaciation- Difficult breathing/Gasping/Respiratory distress - Weakness - Skin irritation - High temperature - Los of appetite - Nervousness - High mortality | Remove infected animal isolation of infected animal-Appropriate storage of feed to avoid dusty and mouldy conditions - Proper disposal of litter- Practise good farm sanitation - Maintain dry litter as much as possible - Spray pen with fungicides before stocking- Maintain proper ventilation |
(b) Advantages of the battery cage system in poultry production
- It saves labour/low cost of labour
- Less wastage of feed
- Less occurrence of cracked eggs
- Less incidence of pests and diseases/Increase hygiene High feed conversion/utilization Makes culling of unproductive birds easy Reduces egg pecking/ cannibalism/friction
- It saves space
- Less occurrence of soiled eggs/ birds do not come in contact with their droppings
- Production of egg is higher
- Reduction in feed consumption
- Drugs can be administered easily Easy to collect eggs
- It saves space.
(c) Reasons why some agriculturaľ extension programmes are not successful in West Africa
- Problem of inadequate transportation
- Inadequate credit facilities for farmers
- Inconsistent government policy
- Poor communication system/Language barrier
- Inadequate extension workers/manpower
- Inadequate subject matter specialists
- Ineffective evaluation of extension activities
- Illiteracy among farmers
- Inadequate farm inputs for extension programmes
- Poor data collection of extension activities
- Ignorance of the traditions and customs of local communities
- Inability to meet the needs of individual farmers
- Inadequate monitoring of extension agents performance
- Low commitment/ Dedication to work by extension workers
- Poor extension facilities
- Corruption among extension Bureaucracy in government services
- Conservatism among farmers
- Poor social amenities in rural areas
- Poor remuneration of extension Workers