The perception of commercial poultry farm neighbours on environmental issues associated with commercial poultry farming in Kogi and Kwara States, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the perception of commercial poultry farm neighbours on environmental issues associated with commercial poultry farming in kogi and kwara states, Nigeria.A total of 500 respondents were purposively selected for the study. Primary data was collected with the use of structured questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for the study. Results of analysis show that mean age of respondents was 34.8 years, most were male (57.9%), married (59.4%), and had tertiary education (59.0%). Average distance of farm to nearest neighbour’s residence was 0.36km. Neighbours’ opinion of poultry farm as source of pollution was high (95.6%). Commercial poultry farms’ neighbours’ perceived knowledge on environmental issues was also high (mean=4.01). Level of complaints on environmental pollution among poultry farms’ neighbours was high (54.6%) and environmental effects of commercial poultry farming activities on neighbours was also high (mean=3.02). The Multiple regression results revealed that neighbours’ years in residence (β=0.203) and distance between neighbour and farm (β= -0.180) were significantly related to perceived knowledge of commercial poultry farms’ neighbours on environmental issues. Also, incidence of environmental pollution complaints by neighbours was significantly influenced by level of education (β= 0.126), years in residence (β= 0.221), distance between neighbour residence and farm (β= -0.256) and level of friendliness (-0.165). The study concluded that the perception of commercial poultry farms’ neighbours in Kogi and Kwara States on environmental issues associated with poultry farming was high. The study recommends among others the need for appropriate distance between poultry farms and residences to be determined and enforced by regulatory authority. This will help to mitigate the effects of environmental pollution /health hazards on the neighbours.