Effects of Climate Change on Poultry Production in Imo State, Nigeria.

Abstract:

This study analyzed the effects of climate change on poultry production in Imo State, Nigeria. Random sampling procedure was used in selecting one hundred and twenty (120) poultry farmers for the study. The data for the study were collected using a structured questionnaire and the data generated were analyzed using frequency, percentages, mean and multiple regression analysis. Result shows that all the poultry farmers (100%) were aware of climate change with radio (91.67%) being the major source of awareness and information on climate change. Climate change perception on poultry production were climate change leads to disease outbreak (x̄ = 3.67), high temperature makes birds feed less and drink more water (x̄ = 3.57), flooding of poultry farms ((x̄ = 3.53). The major effects of climate change on poultry production were perceived as high costs on poultry production activities (x̄ = 3.42), low quantity and quality of eggs production (x̄ = 3.17), high temperature and low rainfall conditions reduces quality of grains (x̄ = 3.15) and high temperature makes birds feed less and drink more (x̄ = 3.15). The variables such as educational level, access to credit facilities, extension contact and membership of association were found to be statistically significant at 5% level of probability with perceive effects of climate change on poultry production. The study concludes that poultry farmers were aware of climate change and perceived rightly the effects of climate change in poultry production. Therefore, efforts should be made to minimize human actions that contribute immensely to the occurrence of climate change, activities such as deforestation, bush burning, and piling of poultry waste without disposing them on time and properly should be discouraged.