ENTRY-LEVEL SKILLS NEEDED IN POULTRY PRODUCTION BY SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL FINAL YEAR STUDENTS OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE IN AGUATA AGRICULTURAL ZONES OF ANAMBRA STATE.

ABSTRACT

Specifically, the study was conducted to identify entry-level skills needed in poultry production by senior secondary school final year students of Agricultural Science in Aguata Agricultural zone of Anambra State. The study adopted a survey research design. The population for the study consisted of 60 senior secondary school Teachers of Agricultural Science, 20 Extension Agents and 20 certified poultry farmers drawn from the three agricultural zone of Aguata, Anambra State. A four-point response scale made up of 74 structured questionnaire items was used for data collection. The reliability coefficient of the instrument was 0.82 using Cronbach’s Alpha reliability test, while the instrument was face validated by five experts. Four research questions and four research hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance guided the study. Frequencies and means were employed to answer the research questions, while Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistic was used to test the hypotheses. The major findings of the study indicated that 14 entry-level skills were needed in poultry house management, 20 entry-level skills in poultry feeding, 20 in poultry health care, and 20 entry-level skills in marketing of poultry products. The result of null hypotheses tested revealed that there was no significant difference in the mean responses of the three groups of respondents on entry-level skills needed in poultry house management, poultry feeding, poultry health care and marketing of poultry products. It was recommended that the skills identified could be packaged and integrated into the state’s skill acquisition centers by the government for the training of unemployed secondary school graduates and other interested vibrant, creative youths for gainful employment into poultry production enterprises for a functional and meaningful living.

Background of the study:

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

The term poultry refers to domestic birds reared by man for their various economic and other purposes. Examples of domestic birds according to Gillespie (1999) and Iwena (2006) include; Chickens (Gallus Domesticus), Turkeys (Maleagris  Gallopavo),  Ducks  (Anas  Boncher),  Geese  (Anser  Anser),  Guinea fowls (Numida Maleagris), Pigeons (Columba Livea), Turtle Doves (Streptopelia Turtus), and Ostrich, (Struthio Camelius).

Poultry in the opinion of Smith (1999) originated from red Jungle Fowls (Gallus Gallus) of south East Asia which is thought to be the sole ancestors of present  breeds  of  domestic  birds.  Hornby  (2001)  also  identified  poultry  as domestic birds  kept  in  the  farm  for  the  purpose  of  meat  (Chicken)  and  egg production, among other useful products. Olaitan and Omomia (2006) explained that poultry refer to all avian species reared for their various economic purposes. They further identified three  major breeds of poultry which includes: broilers (table-meat producer), layers (table-egg producers) and the dual purpose breeds, reared for the purpose of both egg and meat production.

However, Uguru (2003) noted that of all the species of poultry domesticated by man, domestic fowls are the most populous and most important in Nigeria. Continuing, the author said that in Nigeria, domestic birds are kept for various reasons which may include social, economic and cultural values. Ogieva (2003) remarked that domestic fowls are also kept for the  purpose of  meat and egg production, although manure from them can equally be used for the maintenance of soil fertility to boost food production under good management system.

According to Udechukwu (2005) chickens can be reared under intensive system of management on a large scale for commercial purpose, and extensively or semi-intensively for both egg and meat production. The products from poultry according to  the  author can equally be  used  in  manufacturing pharmaceutical products, varnishes, adhesives, paints, feeds, fertilizers, pillows and dusters among others.

However, in Aguata zone of Anambra state, poultry production plays a vital role in the economic and cultural life of people in the following ways; as gifts to visitors, a  means of savings/income, as  a starting capital to  youth and  newly married maidens, and as a sacrificial offering in the traditional Idol worship. It is also useful in the kingship installation and other ceremonial purposes in the area.

Other uses of poultry according to Iwena (2006) include the use of eggs albumen in the tannin and dying industries. Poultry production the author further pointed out  is  an economically viable business which thrives well with other businesses requiring very little time and less capital investment to provide employment and easily disposable income to the farmers. The products also contribute to family nutrition and serve as an inter-state export commodity between states for income generation. Poultry is  reared extensively in various states of Nigeria.

In Anambra state, for 0example, birds are reared extensively by aged men and women who engage in it as a means of their livelihood. This is because most young people in the area are business men and women who have no time to engage in poultry keeping. As a result, its management is left with the old and aged rural parents who lack both strength, energy and skill to continue with the production task on a large scale. These challenges lead to poor economic returns from the scale of the products despite the fact that it is an economically viable business for those who engage in it’s production.

Obi (2002) refers to production as the transformation of raw materials into items possessing increased values because of their utility form. Poultry production however involves the rearing, husbandry and management of domestic birds in order to produce products which when sold generates income. It also involves the profitable marketing of live fowls, eggs, manures and other useful products to final consumers (Iwena, 2006).

The management practices involved in the husbandry of poultry include the ability to select good breeding stock, ability to provide comfortable accommodation, efficient feeding, effective health care maintenance and profitable marketing of the products. According to Ogieva (2003), poultry production as a business venture involves the efficient conversion of available inputs into useful products through the efficient combination of factors of production such as land, labour, capital and entrepreneur.

Smith (1999) defined poultry production as the breeding, rearing, and management of  domestic birds  for  the  production of some  valuable products. Gillespie (1999) noted that poultry production requires less capital investment and thrives   in   association   with   many   other   businesses.   Consequently   poultry production could be both practiced as a small-scale business and for commercial purposes on a large scale. For one to succeed in poultry production, certain related skills are needed.

Skill according to Hull (2000) is a well established habit of doing something which involves the acquisition of performance capabilities. A person who works productively, the author explained, possesses a skill because he has acquired the habit of performing a task in an acceptable manner within his job. Okorie (2000) refers to skill as an organized sequence of actions, proficiency, dexterity, and tact that is executed, usually displaying a flexible but systematic temporal patterning. Continuing, the author explained that, to posses a skill is to demonstrate the habit of thinking, acting and behaving in a specific activity, in such a way that the

process becomes natural to the individual through practice. Denga (2002) noted

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that with the acquisition of skill, individuals can be engaged in self-employment and other useful projects, thus reducing the present high rate of unemployment. Osuala (2004) noted that if individuals are equipped with appropriate skills it will enable them to develop their intrinsic potentials for a meaningful and functional livelihood. For a successful beginning in any poultry production enterprise, certain related skills in form of entry-level and occupational skills are required.

Entry-level skills in the view of Olaitan (1996) are basic manipulative skills needed for a successful beginning in a given enterprise such as poultry production. Occupational skills as explained by Dabson and Malkin (2003) are professional work skills executed by specialists in their various occupation. Entry-level skills the  authors  noted  are  simple  performance  activities  needed  for  a  successful entrance into a job, while the occupational skills are the professional performance activities needed in an occupation. They are practical and functional job-related skills needed by professionals. For the purpose of this study, skills required in poultry production include all the performance capabilities involved in selection of good breeding stocks, ability to house the birds properly, manage the houses, feed birds effectively, maintain their health and market them profitably for income generation by senior secondary school final year students of Agricultural science for entry into poultry production in Aguata zone of Anambra state. In the context of this study, senior secondary school final year students of agricultural science are students who are in their third year in senior secondary schools, who offer agricultural science. These students are instructed by Agricultural science teachers who  have acquired knowledge and skills  in  Agricultural production in  higher institution to  impart  knowledge.  These  teachers  work  in  association with  the extension agents who disseminate information about the new ideas and innovations in Agricultural production from the research centers to the poultry farmers and others. Poultry farmers are those groups of farmers who engage in the husbandry,

management and rearing of domestic birds for the purpose of meat, eggs and manure production which are sold for the generation of income for their livelihood. These farmers are educated by extension agents on the new methods of enhancing productivity in poultry farming.

Agricultural science in the opinion of Iwena (2006) is an area of study that deals with the production of crops and animals for mans use. It is also involves the processing, marketing and distribution of agricultural products for the benefit of mankind.

In Aguata zone of Anambra state it was noted by Ezedinma (2006) that people depend on chicken and eggs as their major source of animal protein as well as a source of income and employment for the aged people. This  is  because chicken contains complete protein, rich in essential amino acids and is  easily affordable when compared to meat from imported cattle, sheep and goats. These old men and women also employ conventional and traditional method of poultry domestication. In this method, birds scavenge and feed themselves but returns home at night to sleep in their uncompleted buildings or sometimes on the top of trees. There is little intervention in the life cycle of the birds through this system of management. In the area of selection, mating, incubation, and brooding it is strictly left for the birds, and poultry when poorly cared for reduce drastically in economic returns. These practices lead to low output of poultry products because some birds are killed by wild animals and other predators, despite the fact that the area favours chicken production. It also leads to shortages of the product thereby making the ones available to become very expensive and unaffordable to the consumers. This calls for the need to involve more hands in poultry production in order to make the products available and affordable to the  consumers. This  is  because the  local farmers could no longer cope with the increase in the demand of the products. Senior secondary school final year students of Agricultural Science who may not

gain admission for further studies or obtain job meant for their levels on graduation can be successfully trained for gainful employment in poultry production.

These will help to increase productivity, make the products available and affordable and at the same time create employment opportunities for the unemployed and idle youths in the area. It is strongly believed by the researcher that when the students are equipped with appropriate improved skills, they will replace their parents in poultry production and at the same time serve as the human resources who will play vital role to improve poultry production enterprise. Furthermore, other jobless youths could also be mobilized through effective agricultural programmes in skill acquisition centers in the area to engage in poultry production enterprise  for  a  living  and  at  same  time  improve  themselves,  the standard of living of their community members and that of the country at large. Therefore, there arises the need to identify the entry-level skills needed in poultry production by senior secondary school final year students of Agricultural science, in Aguata zone of Anambra State, and this informs the study.

Statement of the problem:

Poultry products constitute one of the major sources of animal protein and essential amino acid for people as well as source of income/employment. Thus the production of poultry serves as a profitable viable business to the local aged men and women in the area (Ezedinma, 2006). This  is  because poultry production requires less capital investment and yield quicker economic returns at lesser cost than larger livestocks. However, Ezedinma (2006) observed that in Aguata, Anambra state, the production of poultry is left in the    hand of aged men and women who lack energy, strength and skill to continue with the production enterprise in a large scale. As a result, there is reduction in the supply of the products with associated increase in price since demand of the products is higher

than supply especially during the kingship installation and chieftaincy title ceremonies in the area when the products exchange hands. This situation has led to the scarcity of the product in the area, since many people depend on chicken as their major source of animal protein because of it’s high nutritive value, and cheapness when compared to meat from other sources like; cattle’s, sheep and goats.   The   limited   quantity   available   now   become   more   expensive   and unaffordable by the people of the area leading to poor diets and out break of malnutritional deficiency diseases such as anaemia and kwashiorkor among the inhabitants. There  is  therefore  urgent  need  to  involve  more  hands  in  poultry production in Aguata, Anambra state, in order to make chickens and eggs available and affordable to the consumers thereby promoting their health conditions, and their general standard of living.

Furthermore, there are many senior secondary school final year students of Agricultural science in the area who may not be employed on graduation or secure admission into higher institutions. These group of students usually migrate to cities in search of non-existing white collar jobs and sometimes engage in some criminal act in the society. If appropriate skills in poultry production are identified it can be successfully used  to  train  these  students  for  gainful  employment into  poultry production on their graduation. These will make them self-reliant, reduce rural- urban migration, alleviate poverty and prevent them from engaging in social ills in society as well making the product available and affordable to their people and the country in general, hence, this study.

Purpose of the study:

The major purpose of the study is to identify the entry-level skills needed in poultry production by senior secondary school final year students of Agricultural

science in Aguata Agricultural Zone of Anambra State. Specifically, the study seeks to:

1)      Identify the entry-level skills needed in poultry house management by senior secondary school final year students.

2)      Identify  the  entry-level  skills  needed  in  poultry  feeding  by  senior secondary school final year students.

3)      Identify the entry-level skills needed in poultry health care by senior secondary school final year students.

4)      Identify the entry-level skills needed in marketing of poultry products by senior secondary school final year student.

Significance of the study:

The study will be of immense benefit to the following: secondary school graduates, administrators of skill acquisition centers, poultry farmers and the state government. The study will provide information to the secondary school graduates on skill they would need for gainful employment into poultry production enterprise.

The skill acquisition centres and its administrators will benefit as they could develop information provided into a programme for equipping secondary school graduates who could not gain admission into higher institution or secure employment with skills needed for a successful poultry production enterprise.

Furthermore, the study will provide information to poultry farmers on entry- level skills needed by senior secondary school final year students for entry into poultry production enterprises. These entry-level skills could be used in recruiting qualified personnels into poultry business during any interview or  recruitment exercise.

The  information, could also  guide the  state government on the  type  of directives required to be given to the skill acquisition centre’s administrators for the training of the unemployed youths for jobs in poultry production enterprises.

Research Questions:

Four research questions are framed to guide the study:

1)      What are the entry-level skills needed in poultry house management by senior secondary school final year students of Agricultural Science?

2)      What  are  the  entry-level  skills  needed  in  poultry  feeding  by  senior secondary school final year students of agricultural science?

3)      What are the entry-level skills needed in poultry health care by senior secondary school final year students of Agricultural Science?

4)      What are the entry-level skills needed in marketing of poultry products by senior secondary school final year students of Agricultural Science.

Research hypotheses:

The following four research hypotheses are formulated and was tested at 0.05 level of significance:

1)      There  will  be  no  significant  difference  in  the  mean  responses  of agricultural science teachers, poultry farmers and extension agents, on entry-level skills needed in the management of poultry house.

2)      There  will  be  no  significant  difference  in  the  mean  responses  of Agricultural Science teachers, poultry farmers and extension agents on the entry-level skills needed in poultry feeding.

3)      There  will  be  no  significant  difference  in  the  mean  responses  of Agricultural science teachers, poultry farmers and extension agents on entry-level skills needed in poultry health care and management.

4)      There  will  be  no  significant  difference  in  the  mean  responses  of agricultural science teachers, poultry farmers and extension agents on entry-level skills needed in marketing of poultry products.

Scope of the study:

The study was focused on the identification of entry-level skills needed by senior secondary school final year students of Agricultural science in poultry production; in Aguata Agricultural Zone of Anambra State. The production areas that was covered by the study are poultry house management, poultry feeding, poultry health care maintenance and marketing of poultry products. These areas are purposely chosen because they are the basic entry requirements needed by beginners in poultry production. This study was also restricted to those areas because they serve as the pivot upon which all other aspects of poultry production revolve (other aspects of poultry production include: breeding, incubation and hatchery). The production areas covered by the study are:

1.   Identification of skills needed in poultry house management      practices.

2.       Identification of skills needed in poultry feeding.

3.       Identification of skills needed in poultry health care. 4.                Identification of skills needed in profitable marketing of poultry products.

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