ABSTRACT
Problems from poultry facilities and waste products still remain a serious environmental problem confronting both the producers and consumers. This study examined the awareness and perception of poultry farmers about government policy on siting poultry farms in residential areas of Ibadan metropolis. One hundred and sixty respondents were selected for the study and the data obtained were analyzed using Descriptive statistics and Likert scale model.
Analysis of the socio-economical characteristics revealed that majority of the poultry farmers are males (73.8%), married (78.1%) with household size of between 5 and 8 (55.0%) and in their active productive age (53.1%). It also showed that majority of the poultry farmers are literate and they have their farms in residential buildings (75.6%) with less than 4000 birds (89.9%). Also, most of the poultry farmers do not have access to credit facilities (91.2%) and they do not belong to poultry farmers association (86.2%).
With respects to the level of awareness about government policy on siting poultry farms in residential areas, more than three-fifth (74.4%) of the respondent reported that they were aware and 83.1% asserted that they were favourably disposed to the benefits and hazards caused by siting poultry farms in residential areas. The result also reveals that the major constraint identify by respondents in production and this includes; inadequate extension and training services, high cost of vaccines and medicine, land tenure system, inadequate dung disposal and lack of access to credit facilities.
The study recommends that government should provide land (for settlement) for willing poultry farmer in non- residential areas, create adequate infrastructures and good road network so that poultry farmers can move away from residential areas. Effort should be make available the State and Local Government Act designated under farm practices protection to all parties involved as this will lead to execution of the national policy on environment at all levels.
