Climate change effects and perception on small-holder poultry farms in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria:

Abstract

The study examined Climate Change Effects and Perception on Smallholder Poultry Farms in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. Implication for Policy Intervention. The study sought to ascertain poultry farmers’ awareness of climate change, identify farmers’ perceived effects of climate change on poultry production, and to determine the factors that affected the choice of adaptive measures employed by farmers. Multistage and proportionate sampling was used for the selection of 71 poultry farmers. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, likeri scale and Multinomial Logistic Regression. The study concluded that high rainfall resulting to disease outbreaks ranked 1st with a mean value of 4.68, as the most challenging effect of climate perceived by poultry farmers. Farmers probability of choosing cooling technique as a mitigating adaptive measure against climate change increased by gender and the level of poultry farm experience which were positive and significant at 10% and 1%. Partial elasticities of level of education, farmers association and extension service were inelastic while gender poultry farming experience and access to credit were elastic. The study recommended that the Federal Government of Nigeria through its Agricultural Transformation could subsidize cooling technique equipment to boost farmer production strategies. Drugs and vaccines should be made readily available to poultry farmers to combat disease outbreaks. Poultry farmers are advised to be more involved in association and cooperatives be kept abreast with current information on poultry production system.