CONSTRAINTS ENCOUNTERED BY RURAL WOMEN IN POULTRY PRODUCTION IN SELECTED RURALAREAS OF LAGOS STATE

Abstract

This study assessed the constraints encountered by rural women in poultry production across some selected rural areas of Lagos State. A total of 146 respondents were selected through a multi - stage sampling procedure while a questionnaire was used to elicit information from the respondents. Data were described using frequency counts and percentages while Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used for analysis. The result indicated that 4 9.3% of the respondents used their personal savings in establishing poultry farms , 71.2% were facilities non-members of poultry organization and 76.0% were involved in large scale production. Lack of access to credit (Mean ( x ) =1.67) , inadequate land (x =1.62 ), lack of equipment ( x =1.57), diseases (x = 1.38), lack of capital (x = 1.35) and high cost of drugs ( x = 1.32)were found to be the most serious constraints militating against rural women involvement in poultry production. Correlation analysis showed the significant but negative relationship between types of poultry production rural women engaged in and constraints encountered by them (r=-0.249). The constraints were more severe among rural women that were involved in cockerel production than those involved in broilers or layers or production of different types. Credit facilities, subsidized land and equipment should be made available to rural women for improved production. They should be trained on disease prevention and management for better production. They should also be encouraged to scale up their production to include different types of poultry.