INFORMATION NEEDS ANALYSIS OF POULTRY FARMERS IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Poultry production will fail to attain its peak and improve food security if the information needs of the farmers are not met. This study analysed the information needs of poultry farmers in Abia state, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was employed in selecting 117 respondents. Data on respondents’ socioeconomic characteristics, information needs, information sources and information utilization were collected using structured questionnaire and analysed using percentages, mean scores and ordinary least square. Results revealed 59.8% of the poultry farmers were male with mean age of 34years while, 94.0% had above primary level of education. Average stock size was 105 birds and average monthly income was N128,500.00. The farmers needed information on disease identification (87.2%), drugs and vaccine use (82.9%), veterinary services (79.5%), feed formulation (75.2%) and modern agricultural equipment (74.4%) among others. Most of the farmers sourced information from friends and relatives (94.9%), televisions (78.6%), the internet (73.5%), radios (72.6%), veterinary services (68.4%) and extension agents (60.7%). Furthermore, the farmers effectively utilised all information received, except that on modern day agricultural equipment (x̄ = 1.99). Farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics were significantly related to level of information utilization at 5% α-level. To succeed in the business and contribute to food security, poultry farmers need lots of information. It is therefore recommended that information service providers should source adequate, timely, appropriate, and authentic information from reliable sources like research institutes and communicate same to the farmers for their use. Modern day agricultural equipment should be provided at subsidized rates and the farmers taught how to use them to boost production.