Determinants of biosecurity utilisation among small scale broiler farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Predictors of biosecurity utilization among broiler farmers are of concern on the need for guaranteed safe meat supply to consumers, guarding against epidemics and sustainability of profitable poultry enterprise. Therefore, this study looked into the determinants of biosecurity utilization among broiler farmers in Ekiti State. Multistage and random sampling techniques were used to select 135 respondents for the study; data were collected using structured interview schedule, frequency counts, percentages, PPMC' and linear regression. Majority (60.7%) of the respondents was males, young (31-40years), more than half (51.1% and 53.3%) were married and had poultry as their primary occupation. Majority (67.4% and 65.9%) always sourced information on biosecurity practices from friends and had high level of biosecurity awareness. Non-compliance of visitors with parking of cars away from the poultry house was rated as a very serious constraint to biosecurity utilization. Level of education (β=0.621), poultry experience (β=0.416), membership of organization (β=0.511), income level (β=0.401), awareness of biosecurity (β=0.317) and constraints to biosecurity utilization (β=0.266) were contributors to utilization of biosecurity for broiler production. Hence, further information on biosecurity practices for broiler production and how the respondents can market their broilers effectively should be provided by public extension agents and channeled through poultry association.