Climate Change and Small Scale Poultry Production in Selected Local Government Areas of Kwara State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study examined climate change and small scale poultry production in selected local government area of Kwara State, Nigeria. A sample size of 100 poultry farmers were selected using multi stage sampling technique with the aid of a structured questionnaire, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential Statistics. The result of the study showed that dehydration of birds was the most challenging effect of climate change on poultry production perceived by poultry farmers with the mean value of 4.77. Giving plenty of water and providing heat source in poultry house were the mostly used adaptation strategy with 99% and 86% respectively. Double-log function was the lead equation with R-square (0.7882) and Feed, stock capacity, hired labour, depreciation, adaptation strategies, and age were the significant variables that affects adaptation strategies. The probability of farmers choosing management/medication adaption strategies against climate change increased with the farmers’ years of experience and number of birds, the severe constraints faced by poultry farmers in the study area include high cost of feed and limited capital. The study recommends involvement in cooperatives by poultry farmers in order to be kept abreast with new innovations and have easy access to loans to better their poultry production.