Volume 2 (Issue 1) 2022 Article 7

ABSTRACT:

This study was conducted in Dakasoye Village, Garun-Malam Local Government, Kano State, Nigeria with the aim of enhancing broiler production in the area using locally available ingredient (sorghum) for improved income, job creation and better utilization of available feed resources among others. A 3-stagesampling procedure was used to obtain data from 120 respondents through structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Majority were males (98.4%), married (83.3%) with secondary education (73.3%).Mean age of 49 years (92.5%), household size of 7 persons (81.2%) and flock size of 126 broilers birds(74.2%) respectively. Average monthly income of the clienteles of N54,250.50k, mean farming experience of9 years (84.2%) and no presence of extension services around the study area (91.7%). Main sources of knowledge of sorghum diet is co-farmers’/farmers’ groups (96.7%), family/friends/neighbours (90.8%) and radio program (85.0%). The perceived economic benefits of sorghum diet for broiler feed are ease of substitution for corn and carcass quality, quantity, leg & thigh yield, villi height, abdominal fat are not affected with its use for feed making (100.0%). Main constraints to utilization of sorghum diet for broiler production are inadequate extension services (􀀀 ̅=2.57), inadequate advocacy on the accrued benefits of sorghum (􀀀 ̅ =2.54) and low literacy level (􀀀 ̅ =2.49) amongst others. It was recommended that proper awareness mechanism should be put in place to help more on advocacy, advisory services training should be instituted to build the capacity of the clienteles on the benefits accrued to sorghum as well as its inclusion levels in both broiler starter and finisher mash. Extension services should be strengthened, made pro-active and put in place in order to discharge its duties effectively.