Abstract
This study assessed the training needs poultry farmers in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the poultry farmers, examine the perceived training needs of the poultry farmers, ascertain the sources of information to poultry farmers, determine the sources of assistance to poultry farmers and identify the constraints to the training of poultry farmers. A quota sampling technique was used to select 84 respondents. The study results revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 33years and more of the respondents were male. More of the respondents were married and had an average household of 6 persons. The respondents were educated up to the secondary education level with a mean farming experience of 8 years and extension visits were annual. This study unveiled that respondents lacked competence among others in feed formulation (85.7%) and medication provision (76.2%). The majority of the poultry farmers possess a high level of awareness from cooperative society (75%) as the highest source of information while few of them possess low-level awareness from extension workers (47.6%). Self- help (mean = 3.26) was the highest source of assistance to the poultry farmers. The constraints such as inadequate farming fund (mean = 3.19), inadequate training provision (mean = 3.10) and inadequate input support (mean = 3.08) were considered to be the most serious. It was recommended that extension workers should be ready to make themselves available to farmers monthly.
Highlights
Agriculture remains a key sector in the global economy to sustain industrial and commercial growth
Sampling technique and sample size: The sample for the study was drawn from the population of poultry farmers in Egor Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State
Methods of data analysis: Inferential statistical tools were used to test the stated hypothesis: Ho1: There is no significant difference between the socio-economic characteristics of poultry farmers and their training needs
Summary
Agriculture remains a key sector in the global economy to sustain industrial and commercial growth. The poultry sector, according to Evbuomwan (2005) offers the greatest scope of increasing the quality and quantity of animal protein in Nigeria as they account for about 30% of total livestock output of which eggs account for 80%. Chickens raised intensively for their meat are known as broilers and different breeds that can grow to an acceptable carcass size of 2 kg in six weeks or less (Brown, 2002) chickens raised for egg production purpose are called laying hens (layers). Some hen breeds can produce more than 300 eggs per annum, after which their laying abilities start to defoliate to the point where the birds are undesirable and sold out for meat. The rising population and urbanization have led to the bulk of production egg in large quantity, with more intensive specialists units, often situated close to where poultry meat and table eggs are needed which in turn results in cheap and safe food for urban communities (FAO, 2002)
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