Socio-economic Determinants of Utilisation of Improved Poultry Management Practices among Commercial Poultry Farmers in Obio-Akpor LGA, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the socio-economic determinants of utilisation of improved poultry management practices among commercial poultry farmers in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. A total of 96 respondents were selected using two-stage sampling procedure. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression were used for data analysis. Results showed high awareness of improved poultry management practices, particularly vaccination of birds against diseases (93.8%), biosecurity measures (91.7%), and provision of clean water (95.8%). The most utilised practices were the use of probiotics in poultry feed ( = 2.85), temperature control systems ( = 2.82), and lighting control systems ( = 2.79). The socio-economic factors influencing utilisation of improved poultry management practices were age (β = 0.025) and farming experience (β = 0.096), while flock size (β = -0.097) negatively influenced utilisation. Major constraints identified were the high cost of poultry feed (= 2.95), the high cost of vaccination programmes (= 2.07), and difficulty accessing markets (= 2.07). Despite high awareness of improved poultry management practices, utilisation remained low due to financial and market-related constraints. Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture should strengthen extension services and subsidise poultry inputs, while financial institutions should provide affordable credit to poultry farmers.