Capability of Poultry Association of Nigeria for Extension Services Delivery to Poultry Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The findings revealed that 63.7% of the respondents were males within the age bracket of 40-50 years and were literate. Extension services delivery to poultry farmers by Kwara State Agricultural Development Project, government extension agency, was grossly inadequate to meet knowledge and skills required for cost-effective poultry production on account of high extension agent/farmers ratio. PAN in Kwara State has a meeting hall that is suitable for training and a chapter in 9 out of the existing 16 local government areas (LGAs.) of the State. About 20% of the respondents possessed university degree in livestock husbandry/veterinary sciences. Majority (72%) preferred keeping of layers to any other class of poultry. Similarly, 87.1% and 69.2% of the respondents accessed information on Poultry management techniques and marketing during in-house trainings and farm visits sponsored by PAN. The association financed the trainings through the annual dues and levies paid by members which showed the level of preparedness of members to pay for extension services. It was concluded that PAN has optimum human and material resources for extension services delivery to its members. The number of trainings and farm visits organized by the association could be improved upon if PAN accesses other sources of funding.

Key Words: Human Resources, extension services, infrastructure, organization’s structure, training and farm visits.