DETERMINANTS OF POULTRY EGG PRODUCTION IN ETIM EKPO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

This study analysed the determinants of poultry egg production in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area. Multistage sampling procedure was adopted to collect primary data from seventy-five (75) poultry egg producers using a well-structured questionnaire. Percentage, frequency count, average and multiple regression were employed to analysed the data on the determinants of poultry egg production in the study area. The result of the findings revealed that, 71% of the poultry egg farmers were male and the average age of the respondents was 41 years. The result revealed that, poultry egg farmers had one form of education or the other which contributed to the increase in poultry egg production in the study area. It was discovered that, majority (83%) of the poultry egg farmers were married. The means household size stood at 4 persons per household and 76% were members of cooperative society. The mean income of the respondents stood at ₦70,800 per month. The result also revealed that, most (99%) of the respondent had farming as their major source of income. The regression analysis show that, cost of feeds and membership in cooperative were statistically significant at 5% and 1% levels respectively. With the growing demand for poultry egg in the study area, investment in poultry egg production is a viable agribusiness enterprise for income generation, job creation especially, poverty alleviation and enhancement of food security. The study recommends, the integration of poultry egg production programmes to geared towards empowerment, better management practices, subsidy on poultry equipment and credit facilities and encouragement of farm records keeping to achieve the objective of high production.