BIOSECURITY ASSESSMENT AND TRADING NETWORK ANALYSIS OF DUCK FARMS IN CANDABA, PAMPANGA, PHILIPPINES

The Philippine duck industry has seen a steady growth in recent years. However, the  industry’s association with bird flu in 2017 and the apparent low compliance to strict  biosecurity were feared to set back its development. Through face to face interviews,  compliance of 171 duck farms in Candaba, Pampanga to basic biosecurity measures  was assessed. Majority (69%) of farms had poor compliance to these measures while  14% (24/171) and 17% (29/171) had moderate and good compliance, respectively. The  trading network was also analyzed using social network analysis which revealed the  wide distribution of duck and duck products on a local, regional, and national scale  (reaching even to Visayas and Mindanao). The network also brought to light the  importance of middlemen in the network. The results of this study suggest the need  to craft appropriate policies to improve compliance to biosecurity measures in this  industry. Up-scaling of the backyard style of operation and management of the industry  is highly recommended. Furthermore, this study may offer a new perspective in crafting  policies for disease prevention, surveillance, monitoring, and control of duck diseases  and zoonosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the Philippines that assessed  biosecurity and analyzed trading networks in duck farms.