Effect of adoption of improved technologies on poultry production in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the effect of adoption of improved technology on poultry production in Oyo State, Nigeria. Data used for the study were obtained from primary source using a multi-stage sampling technique with structured questionnaires administered to 100 randomly selected poultry farmers from two Local Government Areas of the State. Descriptive statistics, and multiple regression model were used to analyze the data. The results from the study revealed that hybrid birds, improved feeding, use of battery cages, improved feeders and drinkers, improved vaccinations and medications were the highly adopted improved technologies in the study area. Adoption of gas brooders and automated cages were the least adopted of the improved technologies with mean adoption rate of 0.10 and 0.22 respectively. The regression results from the study indicated that the adoption of improved technology, feed consumed, labour and farm size were positively and statistically significant at 5%, 5%, 10% and 1% probability levels respectively implying that increased in adoption of the improved technologies and usage of the factors stated led to an increase in poultry output, while water consumed (litres) and cost of vaccinations were negatively significant at 5% and 1% respectively. The study also showed that the non-availability of technology, access to credit, cost of technology and low income of the farmer were the most limiting factors affecting the adoption of improved technologies in the study area. In view of the above findings, it is therefore recommended that there should be enhanced research, extension delivery and farm advisory services that will increase the awareness of farmers on the benefits of adopting improved technologies that can lead to increase in the output of poultry farmers in the study area. Also, farmers should be encouraged to form cooperative societies in order to improve their access to finance that can be used to procure the improved technologies in the study area.