Poultry Farmers’ Awareness and Performance in Good Agricultural Practices Implementation in Broiler Production in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State

Abstract

This study was on Poultry Farmers’ Awareness and Performance in Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Implementation in Broiler Production in Yenagoa Local Government Area (YELGA), Bayelsa State. Specifically, this study set out to ascertain the awareness of GAPs among poultry farmers, identify   GAPs implemented in broiler production by YELGA poultry farmers and determine performance of poultry farmers in GAPs implementation in broiler production in YELGA. From a list of 281 poultry farmers obtained from the State’s Agricultural Development Programme, 90 poultry farmers were randomly selected for the study and questionnaire administered to them. Descriptive statistical tools of frequency distribution, percentage, means and ranking were used to analyze data primarily obtained for the study. Findings include; Despite overwhelming awareness (100%) of GAPs in broiler production; as recorded by poultry farmers in YELGA, record as high as 100% poultry farmers’ awareness of some GAPs and awareness by as few as 3.33% of the poultry farmers exist. Also, out of twenty-three (23) listed GAPs items; under various GAPs Pillars, GAPs Pillar 3 (Social Acceptability); took the lead with 15.41%. This is followed by GAPs Pillar 4 (Food Safety and Quality); with 14.35% then by GAPs Pillar 2 (Environmental Stability); with 11.55% and lastly, GAPs Pillar 1(Economic Viability); with 5.07%. These summed up to a Grand Percentage Total (GPT) of 46.83%; implying Fair performance rating in GAPs implementation in broiler production among YELGA poultry farmer. The work concludes that poultry farmers of YELGA, are aware of GAPs in broiler production; but performed fairly on GAPs implementation in broiler production in YELGA, Bayelsa State. It recommends that extension effort could be intensified to close ranks in areas of less GAPs Implementation through targeted training programs to educate poultry farmers and enhance their GAPs techniques and best practices.