Improved farm hygiene for less crop and animal disease occurrence

By Charei Munene

Improved farm hygiene for less crop and animal disease occurrence

By Charei Munene

Microorganisms are always present in any farm environment. Additional disease-causing microorganisms and pests can be introduced or transferred to different parts in the farm via movement of vehicles, people, stock, the farm’s water supply and contact with contaminated equipment, machinery and structures. Agricultural hygiene aims to minimize the introduction and spread of pests and diseases in farm environments. This helps to protect the safety of food from production to consumption. Good agricultural hygiene helps protect livestock and crops from pests and disease, including insects, parasites, pathogens and weeds. Workers can carry, introduce, and spread contamination to fresh produce and animals. Workers can carry human pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Enhancing overall hygiene for your animal and crop farm increases productivity, minimizes animal suffering, crop loss and ultimately protects human health by ensuring that foodstuffs are safe for consumption. A healthy farm environment also protects the health of agricultural workers.

Good farm hygiene practices include;

1. Making sure all farm workers are sufficiently trained in farm hygiene and how to carry out their tasks. You should train all workers (new and existing) to follow good hygienic practices. Go ahead to write the hygiene rules on your notice board.

2. Every farm should have a foot bath or farm gate wheel dip. If possible, limit access of people to your farm.

3. Ensure all farming is done with clean protective clothing. Gumboots especially should be washed before moving to different parts of the farm.

4. Ensure the farm has clean latrines and hand-washing booths. Workers should clean their hands and maintain good personal hygiene when collecting and dealing with produce.

5. Ensure wastes are stored properly to minimize the risk of environmental pollution. Produce and waste bins should have designated areas. Surface contamination should be avoided at all costs.

6. Observe all crops and animals regularly and use proven methods to treat all disease, injury to minimize the spread of disease, keep sick animals isolated from other cattle on the premises. Remove all weeds and volunteer crops. Many crop pest and diseases are hidden in weeds and volunteer crops.

7. Have an identification system for all your animals, from birth including disease history.

8. Have a strong pest control strategy for rodents, birds, slugs and snails.

9. Apply the right amount of water during irrigation. Your farm drainage should be well managed without any stagnant water. Most disease-causing micro-organisms require stagnant water and rotting materials to multiply.

10. Use clean quality water for your crops and animals.

Charei Munene is a plant pathology expert and Infonet Manager at Biovision Africa Trust.

Charonesh01@gmail.com