Extent of Utilizing Electrical Equipment in Poultry Production in Ebonyi State

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the extent of utilizing electrical equipment in poultry production in the rural areas of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted for the study. Three research questions guided the study. The population for the study was 46 respondents comprising 16 Extension agents and 30 Poultry farmers. There was no sampling because of small population of the respondents. The instrument was validated by 3 experts, two in Vocational Agricultural Education unit of Technology and Vocational Education Department and one in measurement and evaluation of science Education Department, in the same faculty and university. Cron-batch alpha reliability coefficient of the instrument was 0.82 which was good enough for the study. The instrument was administered to the respondents with the help of three research assistants in the three agricultural zones in the state. The data collected were analyzed using mean score and standard deviations. The study revealed (1) That 13 out of 18 electrical equipment items assessed are available in the poultry farms while 5 out of 18 electrical incubating equipment were not available. (2) That all the electrical watering and brooding equipment for poultry production were affordable. (3)That all the electrical feeding equipment was adequate for poultry production in all the farms as stated by the respondents among the recommendation made was that poultry farmers need to form cooperative society in order to procure necessary electrical equipment in their farms.

Key words: extent, poultry, electrical equipment, utilizing, farmer.