ABSTRACT

 This study determined the level of awareness of the bird flu disease among the poultry farmers and the extension agents, the knowledge of the farmers and the extension agents on bird flu control methods, identified the socio-economic characteristics that influence the awareness of the bird flu disease and its control methods among farmers and extension agents in Abia State. Primary -and Secondary data were used in the study. The respondents comprised of 360 poultry farmers and 45 extension agents randomly selected from three Agricultural Zones in Abia State. Questionnaire and Focused Group Discussion (FGD) were employed in data collection. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Likert rating scale,.and ordinary least square (OLS) and multiple regression analysis were also used to analyse the data. Results showed that 55.3% of the poultry farmers and 60% of the extension agents were males, within the age bracket of 40 — 50, and between I to 30 birds were mainly reared by the farmers (76.9%) in the State. The result further revealed that the extension agents and the poultry farmers in the state were highly aware of the bird flu disease, but lacked the knowledge on the symptoms and control methods of the disease. Of the regression model results, level of education, sex, household size, flock size, membership of cooperative society and extension contacts were all found to be positively and significantly related to the awareness of the disease of the poultry farmers. The coefficient of Age and household size were also found to be positively and significantly related to awareness of the bird flu disease of the extension agents. On the relationship between the regression result of the extension agents and poultry farmers, the coefficients of sex and household size were significantly related to the awareness of the bird flu disease and its control method. It was recommended that poultry farmers should be encouraged to form vibrant cooperatives. The state government should intensify efforts to provide extension services to the rural communities in Abia State. Also, some formal adult educational programmes should be provided to farmers to enhance the awareness level of the bird flu disease.