The Department of Animal, Aquaculture, and Range Sciences, along with the Postgraduate Coordination Unit, congratulates Dr. Rogia Saïdath Adéline Gomez on successfully defending her PhD Viva Voce on February 26, 2025. Her research focused on Biosecurity in Poultry Farms and its Effects on Productivity and Meat Safety,
Dr. Rogia investigates the biosecurity practices in poultry farms and their effects on productivity and meat safety in the Pwani Region, Tanzania. The research was motivated by the challenges faced by poultry farmers, including high disease prevalence, inadequate biosecurity measures, and economic limitations such as high production costs and low productivity.
A survey of small broiler farms was conducted using structured questionnaires and direct observations. Additionally, meat samples from farms were tested for antibiotic residues using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
The study found that biosecurity practices in poultry farms were moderately implemented, with low awareness and financial constraints as major barriers. Poor biosecurity led to high bird mortality (11.7%), with diseases like infectious coryza, coccidiosis, and chronic respiratory disease being prevalent.
Antibiotic overuse was common, with enrofloxacin, oxytetracycline, and tylosin frequently used. However, most broiler meat samples tested negative for antibiotic residues, except one that contained sulfamethazine.
Additionally, medicinal plants such as Azadirachta indica (Neem), Zingiber officinale (Ginger), Moringa oleifera (Moringa), and Allium sativum (Garlic) were identified as potential natural alternatives to antibiotics.
The study recommends enhancing farmer training on biosecurity, adopting medicinal plants, and implementing cost-effective biosecurity measures to improve productivity and meat safety in poultry farming.
Her PhD research study was supervised by Professor Said Hemed Mbaga
Four manuscripts were prepared from this research work;
Gomez RSA and Mbaga SH (2023). Assessment of biosecurity practices adoption in broiler farms in east Africa: case study of Pwani region in Tanzania. J. Anim. Health Prod. 11(2): http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.jahp/2023/11.2.155.164
Gomez RSA and Mbaga SH (2024). Classification and productivity of smallholder broiler farms in the Pwani region, Tanzania. J. Anim. Health Prod. 12(1): 31-39. http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.jahp/2024/12.1.31.39
Assessment of the presence of antibiotic residues in meat from small-scale broiler farms in the Pwani region of Tanzania. Status: Under revision by the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics (JARTS)
Medicinal plants used for broiler production in Africa: A comprehensive review Status: Submitted to the International Journal of Livestock Production (IJLP)
