Environmental Effects of Poultry Production in Abia State, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study examined the environmental effects of poultry production in Abia State, 
Nigeria. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 80 poultry farmers, 
and data were collected through structured questionnaires and oral interviews. 
Descriptive statistics and Tobit regression analysis were employed for data analysis. 
Results revealed that most farmers were middle-aged (62.5%), educated (85%), and 
experienced in poultry farming (83.5% with over 11 years’ experience). A majority had 
access to extension services (75%), credit facilities (87.5%), belonged to farmers’ 
organizations (58%), and lived in households of 4–6 members (43.7%). The major 
pollutants identified were microbial pathogens (20.4%), feed additives (19%), and 
wastewater (14.1%). Reported environmental effects included mosquitoes (12.4%), rats 
(11.1%), water contamination (12.1%), eutrophication (10%), noise (9.7%), pathogens 
(9%), flies (9.2%), drug residues (7.8%), land use constraints (9%), and dust (7.8%). 
Pollution control measures adopted included proper housing (34.6%), precision feed 
management (27.4%), and appropriate carcass disposal (23.2%). Socioeconomic factors 
significantly influencing the adoption of pollution management technologies were age, 
education, and access to extension services. Constraints to adoption included poor access 
to credit, inadequate extension services, illiteracy, high labor costs, expensive building 
materials, limited veterinary services, and weak organizational membership. The study 
recommends strengthening farmers’ access to extension services, credit, and educational 
programs, while encouraging participation in farmers’ organizations to enhance 
sustainable poultry waste management and mitigate environmental impacts.