Tropentag, September 16 - 18, 2026, Göttingen "Towards multi-functional agro-ecosystems promoting climate-resilient futures"

Agricultural extension training needs on climate smart practices among poultry farmers in Ebonyi State Nigeria

Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Dept. of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Nigeria

Abstract

This study looks at the agricultural extension training needs of poultry farmers in the Ebonyi State Nigeria for adopting climate-smart practices. The study sampled 80 poultry farmers across the various part of Ebonyi State using a purposive sampling technique and gathered primary data with structured questionnaires. They summarised socioeconomic characteristics using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentages, mean, and standard deviation. For the establishment of need gaps of these poultry farmers mean scores helped to identify training needs in feeding, housing, and biosafety. A multivariate probit regression model was used to examine factors influencing these needs. The findings revealed that most respondents were male (60%), married (85%), and from polygamous households (70%). Many had limited farming experience (33.8%). A large portion had no formal education (63.7%) and had not attended previous training (63.7%). However, over half were members of poultry associations (53.8%). Farmers indicated strong training needs in poultry housing (ventilation, insulation, and siting), feeding (use of local ingredients, ration formulation, and feed preservation), and biosafety (disease surveillance, vaccination, biosecurity measures, and waste management), along with emergency response and farm access control. Key challenges included lack of funds, weak extension services, high costs and scarcity of feed and vaccines, poor access to water, unfavourable weather, limited market access, poor transportation, and insufficient skills in managing disease and nutrition. The results also showed that education, farming experience, age, household size, type of labour, gender, marital status, association membership, and prior training significantly affected training needs. The study therefore recommends focused, need-based training programmes to help poultry farmers in the adoption of climate-smart poultry production practices.

Keywords: Agricultural extension training needs, climate smart agriculture, climate smart practices, poultry farmers

Contact Address: Michael Olaolu, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Dept. of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 1010 Abakaliki, Nigeria, e-mail: michealolaoluyahoo.com