Determinants of farmers' biosecurity mindset: A social-ecological model using systems thinking

Abstract

Commercial poultry is often farmed in high-density facilities, therefore, predisposing exposure to threats of infectious diseases. Studies suggest that it is likely that farmers have little motivation to practise on-farm biosecurity. In Taiwan, where high-density intensive poultry production is commonplace, unfortunately, several avian influenza outbreaks have occurred over the past decade despite the establishment of biosecurity procedures. To develop effective interventions, it is essential to understand the determinants of farmers' biosecurity mindset through systems thinking. In this qualitative study, we directly explored the opinions of Taiwan's chicken farmers, and a grounded theory analysis was performed. The study revealed that farmers allocate resources based on their justification for the optimisation of resource utilisation, and biosecurity is the most concerning challenge. Farmers focus on the economic aspects of their production systems, particularly when the implementation of biosecurity increases production costs, and there are multifaceted, complex barriers to implementing on-farm biosecurity. Although the participant farmers accepted to take major responsibility for disease management, paradoxically, some farmers blamed the practicality of government regulations and government employees' attitudes. Additionally, the farmers rejected the government's intentions to ask farmers to take major responsibility for the outbreaks of avian influenza while some of them intended to ignore the perceived risks. Government interventions that were considered not directly related to biosecurity also negatively influenced farmers' willingness to improve biosecurity. Using the interview results together with information in the scientific literature, we constructed a modified six-level social-ecological model to explain the complex influences of macro socio-economic conditions on farmers' biosecurity mindset. The novelty of this research lies in its wider relevance to Taiwan's chicken production industry in that it provides first-hand evidence-based knowledge to demonstrate a wide number of determinants of farmers' biosecurity mindset. This social-ecological model highlights the importance of systems thinking for the development of behavioural interventions and allows adaptation to the local context. The findings of this study have relevance to Taiwan's chicken production industry and potentially to similar systems in other countries in the wider region and should result in more effective animal health management at the farm level.

The attitude-behaviour gap in biosecurity: Applying social theories to understand the relationships between commercial chicken farmers' attitudes and behaviours

“…This research was part of a two-tier research initiative that investigated the mindset of farmers in pursuing on-farm biosecurity ( 17 , 41 ). Upon approval from the Ethics and Welfare Committee of the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, the United Kingdom (approval #URN 2014 0116H), participating farmers were recruited through local disease control centres (LDCCs), the Poultry Association, and private feed companies.…”

“…Siekkinen et al (8) emphasised that on-farm biosecurity is a critical component of disease prevention and control. Recently, studies have applied both quantitative and qualitative approaches to understand farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and underlying drivers related to on-farm biosecurity practises (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). Studies also discovered how social cues, messages of infection risk and message delivery methods affect farmers' compliance with biosecurity (18)(19)(20)(21).…”

“…In the agricultural literature, an increasing number of studies have applied behavioural change theories to explain farmers' decision-making process in relation to on-farm biosecurity ( 17 , 22 – 24 ). The cognitive consistency theories have been applied to understand the logic behind people's decision-making process and the theories describe how meanings and judgments influence an individual's feelings, actions, and adoption ( 25 ).…”

“…We suggested that this is very much the case when it comes to biosecurity policy or relevant management recommendations at farm level. As Pao et al ( 17 ) suggested that the relationships between attitudes and behaviours amongst farmers are complex, conflicts between farmers' biosecurity attitudes and behaviours will lead to their physical and psychological tension when conducting biosecurity practises.…”

“…However, despite this, there have been outbreaks caused by avian influenza H5 strains in Taiwan over the past decade ( 40 ). Pao et al ( 17 ) discovered that the decision of Taiwan's commercial chicken farmers to adopt biosecurity measures was influenced by a variety of internal and external factors. As farmers have a diverse range of needs and restrictions when it comes to their farming enterprises, it is difficult to ensure farmers continually recognise and implement biosecurity measures that will protect their own and livestock's health.…”