TRADE PROJECT TITLE:

PRODUCTION FACTORS AFFECTING REARING OF POULTRY IN MAKUENI

COUNTY, MBOONI WEST –SUB COUNTY TULIMANI WARD.
PRESENTED BY: ALFRED MWENDWA

INDEX NO: 5411011042

COURSE CODE: 2425

PAPER CODE: 307

INSTITUTION: OLLESOS TECHNICAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

SUPEVISOR: MR HARRISON CHIRCHIR

EXAM SERIES: NOVEMBER 2021

SUBMITTED TO: KNEC FOR THE AWARD OF CERTIFICATE IN DIPLOMA IN GENERAL AGRICULTUR

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 DECLARATION
This study is dedicated to my family members, Mum Mrs. Margret, sister mercy and my brother Tom
Moses.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First, thanks to my supervisor Mr. Harrison chirchir for developing the time to read through this
research project report and providing assistance that enable me to continue with the study to
the end. I would also like to acknowledge the contributions of all my lectures who taught me
during the course work especially madam Lydia, madam Viola and MR Oduor. I would also wish
to acknowledge my colleagues who gave me moral support. Last but not least, I thank my
parent fir financial support that was the key ensuring to meet financial obligation for the study.
May almighty God bless them abundantly.

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 ABSTRACT
This study was done in Tulimani ward, Mbooni west Sub County, Makueni County. The purpose
of study was production factors affecting rearing of poultry among farmers in Tulimani ward
Makueni County. The objective of the study was establish how farm inputs influences poultry
production. To determine how knowledge affect poultry rearing in Tulimani ward. To determine
how market availability affects rearing of poultry. To determine how production cost affect
poultry rearing. Data analysis were collected from a sample of 100 farmers derived from target
of 400 farmers who were registered with makueni county government. Data were collected in
the month of April and May 2021. Random sampling technique was applied in selecting the
farmers who were included in the sample. The data collected solicited information in form of
farm inputs such as land area under poultry farming. Quantity of feed used, quantity of vaccines
administered, labour used and quantity of energy used and socio-economic factors which
include age of the farmer, level of education, experience in poultry, engagement in other
income generating activities other than poultry farming and access to credit. This results shows
that, 1% increase in the land use would result to 1.5% increase in output. Majority, 53 out of
100 poultry farmers are middle aged adults at (31-50) years. In conclusion the study established
that among socio economic variables under study except engagement in other activities, the
access to credit and other variables namely education age and farming were found having
negative significant correlation with poultry production. The study therefore recommends that
government should lower the cost of electricity to affordable prices, control inflation rate in
the country that makes the cost of living and other inputs which affects rearing of poultry to be
high.

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Table of Contents
TRADE PROJECT TITLE:..................................................................................................................................i
PRODUCTION FACTORS AFFECTING REARING OF POULTRY IN MAKUENI COUNTY, MBOONI WEST –SUB
COUNTY TULIMANI WARD............................................................................................................................i
DECLARATION..............................................................................................................................................ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.................................................................................................................................iii
ABSTRACT...................................................................................................................................................iv
CHAPTER ONE..............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Background of the study.........................................................................................................1
1.2 statement of the problem.......................................................................................................3
1.3 Objective of the study.............................................................................................................4
1.4 Research questions.......................................................................................................................5
1.5 Significance of the study...............................................................................................................6
1.6 Purpose of the study.....................................................................................................................7
1.7 Justification of the study...............................................................................................................8
1.8 Limitations of the study................................................................................................................8
1.9 Assumption of the study...............................................................................................................9
1.9.1 Theoretical definition of terms..................................................................................................9
CHAPTER TWO...........................................................................................................................................10
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW........................................................................................................................10
2.1 INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................10
2.2 Importance of poultry to human welfare........................................................................................10
2.4 Farm inputs and poultry productions..............................................................................................10
2.5 Socio-economic characteristics and poultry production..................................................................11
2.6 Technology adaptation and poultry production..............................................................................11
2.7 Ability of market and poultry production........................................................................................11
2.8 Risks and uncertainties....................................................................................................................11
2.9 Socio-cultural constrains..................................................................................................................11
2.9.1 socio-economic constrains.......................................................................................................12
2.9.2 The concept frame work..........................................................................................................12
CHAPTER THREE........................................................................................................................................14

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 3.0 METHODOLOGY...............................................................................................................................14
3.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................14
3.2 Research design..........................................................................................................................14
3.3 Target population.......................................................................................................................14
3.4 Sample size and sampling procedure...............................................................................................15
3.4.1 Sample size...............................................................................................................................15
3.5 Research instruments......................................................................................................................16
3.5.1 Piloting instruments.................................................................................................................16
3.5.2 Validity of the instrument........................................................................................................17
3.5.3 Reliability of the instruments..................................................................................................17
3.6 Data analysis procedure..................................................................................................................17
CHAPTER FOUR..........................................................................................................................................18
4.0 DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSIONS.......................................................................18
4.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................18
4.2 Response rate..............................................................................................................................18
4.3 Demographic analysis......................................................................................................................18
4.3.1 Age of the responded...............................................................................................................18
4.3.2 Years of involvement in the project........................................................................................19
Table 4.2 of involvement by the project farmers..................................................................................19
4.4 Farm input and poultry production.................................................................................................19
4.5 Socio-economic factors in poultry production.................................................................................20
The table 4.3 below indicates age distribution of poultry farmers of the study area age in years........20
The table 4.4below illustrates how poultry farming experience varied among the poultry farmers of
the study area........................................................................................................................................21
4.6 Technology adoption and poultry production.................................................................................22
4.6.1 Poultry farmer’s perception of adoption of technology in poultry production......................22
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMENTATIONS...........................................................24
5.1 Introductions...................................................................................................................................24
5.2Summary of findings.........................................................................................................................24
5.2.1 Farm inputs and poultry products...........................................................................................24
5.2.2 socio-economic factors and poultry production.....................................................................24
5.2.3 Technology adaptation and poultry production.....................................................................25
CONCLUSION.........................................................................................................................................25

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 RECOMMENDATIONS............................................................................................................................26
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................27
APPENDIX..............................................................................................................................................29

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 CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study.
Agriculture plays a significant role in Kenya’s economy the sector directly contributes 24%
of GDP and other 26% indirectly (ASDP, 2013) Agriculture is the second largest after the
service sector, accounting for approximately $58 million earning annually. The sector for
65% of Kenya’s total export, 18% and 60% of formal and total employment respectively
(KIPPRA, 2013)

Globally, the demand for animal of source food is growing, exponentially particularly in
developing countries due to urbanization, income and population growth (FAO 2000, FAO
2010) However despite the growing demand for poultry products, poultry farmers
worldwide face numerous problems. In Nigeria and Ghana, for example, poultry farmers
have suffered setback s in poultry production due to rising costs of farm inputs and the
mysterious diseases have significantly reduced the returns in farmer’s poultry business.

The problems facing poultry farmers in other parts of the world are not unique to them only
in Kenya the poultry industry has been facing some complex and conflicting problems.
These problems include; over increasing of prices of farm inputs as a result of competition
for key raw materials input in poultry farming. For example, a raw material input such as
corn is also demanded by some industries which use to produce ethanol. The competition
for poultry farmers and consequently has offered their expansion progress.

The inability of farmers to control diseases related to poultry are as a result of the
increasing cost of vaccines and management facts of veterinary doctors is other problem
Kenya poultry farmer have been facing. The third problem relates to the vulnerability of the
market due to lack of crucial information about the market due to stiff competition within
the industry. Fourth, most of poultry farmers lack cooperative unions that can assist then in
locating variable markets and also to bargain for their favorable positions in the market
place. As a result, between the producer (farmers) and the consumers is usually filled by
middlemen who exploit the farmers. Fifth, legal laws of a country determine how favorable
or unfavorable a given farming business is in Kenya. For example, with the advent of
developed government. Some county government decide to raise the revenue for this
counties by increasing fees on agricultural products. The increasing fees has significantly
affected poultry farming in Kenya. Sixth, farmer characteristics such as the age of the farmer
experience in poultry farming, availability of skilled personnel and extension services also
determine the success of poultry farming business. Again for the success of poultry farming

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 in Kenya, proper infrastructure is an essential element that is required. The existence of
poor quality or inadequate infrastructure in Kenya has inevitably impacted negatively on the
poultry production.
In Kenya due to increasing transport cost which reduces level of value addition as well as
lowering transaction efficiencies in the market chains.
There have been government and non-governmental programmers and policies in recent
years to provide support for the poultry industry in order to increase production and
consequently bridge the gap between the increasing demand and the low supply of poultry
production, especially chicken. More often that are not, the commercial and development
banks are urged to provide loans for the farmers to expand their productions. However,
there is no empirical evidence to justify whether or not an increasing in the scale of
production will be profitable to the farmers since the production cost is known to be high in
the country. There is therefore the need to conduct a systematic study to assess the factors
that affect the technical efficiency and economies of scale is divided into layers and broilers.

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1.2 statement of the problem
In Makueni (i.e.) productivity has stagnated in recent years. Largely due to numerous
constrains such as diseases, parasites, inadequate knowledge and skills on i.e. husbandry,
limited transfer and adoption of improved technologies by run household’s investments
aimed at improving rearing of indigenous chicken production have not achieved desired
output. No policy on livestock biosecurity in Makueni county recent report from the
department of veterinary of veterinary services indicate that chicken maturity is on the rise.
Beside characteristics, average cost production could be reduced through an increase in the
scale of production (indication of positive scale economies). Lower average costs represent
an improvement in hat influence poultry production among the poultry farms in Talismanic
ward. Productive efficiency and can feed through to consumers as low price in the event of
marked competition. However not all increases in output or scale of production lead to
reduction in average cost per unit. An increase in production scale does not have any
impact on the average production cost per unit. All these conditions occur when there are
so many inefficiencies within the farm resulting in rising average cost. This study therefore,
addressed the following central research questions.

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1.3 Objective of the study
1.3.1 General objectives
General objectives of the study were to assess the challenges facing rearing of poultry
and production and adoption of biosecurity in Talismanic ward.
1.3.2 Specific objectives
(i) To determine how knowledge influence poultry rearing in Talismanic ward
(ii) To determine how market availability, affect poultry rearing in Talismanic ward.
(iii) To determine how production cost can affect poultry rearing
(iv) To assist socio-economic and ecological factors that hinder adoption of
biosecurity measures.
(v) To determine hoe technology adaptation influence poultry production.

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1.4 Research questions
The study was based to the following questions;

1) How do farm inputs influence the poultry production?

2) How do socio-economic factors influence poultry production?
3) To what extend does the technology adaptation influence poultry production?
4) To what extend does access to market influence poultry rearing and production?

1.5 Significance of the study

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 Poultry farming is a very important sub-sector of agriculture industry in Kenya. This is
because it helps in solving the problem of food security, provides employment
opportunities directly or indirectly to the people involved in sub-sector. However, the main
concern of any production activity has been described as that of achieving maximum
possible efficiency in the transformation of inputs into outputs in agriculture, measurement
of technical efficiency is an important step in a process that might lead to optimum
resources use, which has important implications for both policy formulation and farm
management. Efficiency measures can have important implications issues for issues related
to economic survival, the technological adoption and innovations and overall input use in
the poultry sub-sector of agriculture. Efficiency measures provide important insights to
managers when making operational decisions and to policy makers in the debate on
regulatory issues. Furthermore, for individual poultry farms gain in efficiency are of great
substance in periods of financial stress since efficient farms are more likely to generate
higher income and thus, stand a better chance of surviving and prospering. It introduces
new dimensions to farmers and policy makers on how to increase poultry production by
determining the extent to which is possible to raise the technical efficiency of farms with
the resources base and the available technology in order to meet the increasing demand of
poultry products such as chicken in Kenya. Moreover, the results of the economies of scale
determination is very useful decision making tool when considering an expansion in forms
scale of production. The results are critical not only for the farmers but also for who
intended to invest in poultry industry since it enables them to ascertain whether or not an
increase in the present scale production could translate into reduction in an average cost of
production and eventually increase farmers profit. That is, it enables other stakeholders
(private investors, government) to find out whether a possible increase in present scale of
broiler production in the study area in Kenya as a whole would not disadvantage the
farmers in terms of cost/profit. Therefore, an empirical study to determine the cost
efficiency level of the broiler farms and the presence of economics of scale among the farms
are necessary first step in our national effort to reduce broiler production cost and boost
local production

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1.6 Purpose of the study
The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that affect rearing of poultry production
in Talismanic Ward Moony west sub-county Makueni County, Kenya. The significance of this
study is that if it is established that there are some negative factors that hinder the growth of
poultry farming in Talismanic ward, then some policy that can be applied to promote and
sustain the growth of the sub-sector should be formulated and applied. Secondly, a study of
this kind will form a base for other researchers to give a way of research findings how to make
improvement on it.

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1.7 Justification of the study
Talismanic ward is a semi-arid area and very marginal to crop production. Live hood within the
rural communities hinder predominantly on subsistence agriculture which is primarily the
responsibility of women. Among livestock enterprises poultry production is the widest spread in
Makueni County. About 75%-80% of all farm families in the county keep poultry, most of which
are indigenous chicken these birds are kept on free range system of production. This system
subject chicken to risks of diseases out break and high infestation by parasites. The low
productivity can also be contributed to the fact that traditionally kept chicken receive little care
as they can often co-exist in some households as exotic birds in small scale and back yard farms.
Makueni agricultural project, women entrepreneurship empowerment consortium programmer
and county government funded poultry promotion project have not resulted in any significant
change in this sub-sector in terms of volume of marketable birds. Improvement and
commercialization of poultry and their products is still low. The study will unearth the
challenges faced in poultry production, biosecurity measures adapted and socio-economic and
ecological hindrances in poultry production. This will enable recommendation for necessary
interventions to increase chicken productivity and improve household incomes and subsequent
poverty level in TULIMANI ward be reduced.

1.8 Limitations of the study

First the findings of the study were limited to the responses that where were obtained from
farmers who were interviewed. The quality of response was depended on integrity, faithfulness
and consistency of the respondents and research assistant. This is likely to affect the quality of
output. Another limitation expected all of this research is that some farmers did not respond to
the questions asked to them in case where they may not in good moods.

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1.9 Assumption of the study
The study was based on the following assumptions that the respondents were provided sincere, honest
and reliable feedbacks to the information that were been sought. The duration of three months, that is
from April to May2021 was enough to conduct the research and present the findings. That the findings
of this study would benefit poultry farmers and other stakeholders.

1.9.1 Theoretical definition of terms

Poultry production – is an innovative and high technology sector producing mainly chicken meat and
eggs.

Poultry farmers – In this study this refers to persons who engage in poultry farming.

Farm inputs –are factors that lead to observed results such as capital, labor, raw materials and
entrepreneurship.

Poultry market -- This is the outlet through which the farmer sells or buys the poultry products
particularly eggs and meat.

Technology ---- Refers to the collection of techniques, skills, methods, and processes used in production
of goods and services.

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 CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 INTRODUCTION.
2.2 Importance of poultry to human welfare.
Poultry and their products have a long standing and successful history of contributing significantly to
human nutrition, labour, research and development. Poultry keeping additionally contribute to multiple
and live hood objective and offers many pathways out of poultry. Such contribution includes food
supply, income generation, manure and enhancing social status. Poultry also serve as financial
instrument to the poor who often do not have access to standard financial market such as banks. Poultry
has contributed a lot of money to Kenya’s agricultural gross domestic products. Animal production in
general and chicken in particular play important socio-economic roles in developing countries.
Production of village chickens is a source of easy and regular income for rural farmers in developing
countries.

2.3 Concept of poultry production

Poultry production as an aspect of livestock production is important to economic and social

development and biological needs of the people of any nation because it assist in alleviating food
security. It is a process that involves rearing of chicks from day one to the time they mature by using
some farm inputs, capital, labour, and entrepreneurial talent. However, the rearing of poultry is faced
with some challenges as discussed below.

2.4 Farm inputs and poultry productions.

Points out of the cost of inputs determines the size of poultry business that a poultry farmer are able to
set up when the cost is high. Many farmers are able to set up when the cost is high, mainly farming
business men will opt to reduce the size of the business or close the business altogether which will
result to decrease output. For the poultry business, input especially grains for intensive poultry
production in many African countries. This is because in Africa, the high cost in feeds, especially grains
for intensive poultry production is not within the reach of many farmers. This has acted as a
determinant to many potential poultry farmers, especially those who cannot access credit facilities from
banks to engage activity in poultry farming. This has led to utilization of the available resources such
farm lands as farmers can only stock small number of bird that they can be able to manage and sustain.

In America and Europe, the poultry industry has been facing some complex and conflicting problems.
Those problems increase in prices of feeds as results of competition for key raw materials such as corn
with other industries such as those manufacturing corn ethanol. This has drastically affected the profits
of many firms and consequently has altered their expansion programs in brazil which is among the
highest exporter of poultry products in the world, the costs of inputs has become the biggest challenge
facing the poultry industry as demand for grains poultry farming and reproduction of ethanol is such
more than what the country is able to produce. This makes the cost of inputs has been the biggest
challenge facing the poultry industry .This makes the cost of feeds so high and account for more than

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70% of the total poultry cost. The increase in the cost of inputs has been the cause of slow growth and
sustainability of the poultry.

2.5 Socio-economic characteristics and poultry production

Different authors have identified a number of factors influencing productivity in a poultry production
especially in developing country’s agriculture. However, some environmental factors such as weather,
government policies among others are outside the scope or the control of the farmers and hence their
impacts cannot be considered as the causes of the farmer’s efficiency. Farmers experience also enables
the farmer to adapt to climatic change, new agricultural practices and ability to spread risk.

2.6 Technology adaptation and poultry production

Technology adaptation remains one of the greatest problems facing the poultry business across Africa
where farmers have inadequate technological knowledge on how to improve the productivity of their
poultry production. The many African farmers also lack basic trainings on nutrition, knowledge of key
poultry disease prevention which is relevant in their respective countries. Farmers also face the lack of
poultry resistance breeds.

Education level influences the farmers’ access to information as well as their ability to understand their
technical aspects of innovation which largely affects productions decisions.

2.7 Ability of market and poultry production

Ability of market and markets information encourages farmers to produce goods that are demanded
and hence their confidence that has exists a ready market.

A market is a deficient in information and exhibits in consistency is like to be attractive to the investors.
Like any other business, poultry farmers also prefer to invest in poultry where there is adequate
information exist. Distance to the market negatively influences both the decision to participate and the
proportion output sold.

2.8 Risks and uncertainties

Most farmers fear to take risks in production. This is due to theft of the chicken, poultry products such
as eggs and chicks. Secondly, death or high mortality in poultry due to uncontrolled diseases and
parasite attack. This hinders most farmers from rearing of poultry since all the loss belong to the farmer.
Thirdly, the attack by wild animals and birds such as eagles since most farmers practice their production
in free range. There is also risk of theft since there is no security for the free range production of poultry.

2.9 Socio-cultural constrains

Many social-cultural factors affects livestock production. Socio-cultural constrains of poultry
development is the value placed upon the poultry for use at ceremonies and festivals or even a source

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of income times of need. Some regard chicken as their pets or part of the family thus this is the only the
arrival of an important unexpected visitor when they use as food.

Another major socio-cultural constrain to poultry production is the high value placed upon crop
production rather than livestock production. This affects the willingness to put much time, expenses and
effort in chicken. Typically where crop farming is the men’s main activity, keeping livestock is perceived
as a peripheral activity related to women and children. However, when the number of livestock
increases men usually take over the activity .Poultry production is a part of a balanced farming system, it
plays an important role in supply of high quality protein to the family food balanced and provides small
disposable cash income in addition to ceremonial and socio religious functions that are important in
rural people’s lives.

2.9.1 socio-economic constrains

The success of chicken enterprise is judged by the quality and quantity of product sold. (Number of
chicken and eggs sold) and consequently the amount of profit gained.

Function of market and market demand, lack of market and marketing skills are some of major
drawbacks of village chicken production system. Marketing of chicken eggs in small sector in intervals
and tends to be within the local communities, between the farming house hold to some non-farming
households. Only few respondents has access to credit facilities or loan from financial institution.

2.9.2 The concept frame work

Table 2.1

The conceptual frame work that is low productivity rearing of poultry in Tulimani ward is due to
constrains affecting this enterprise. Inadequate biosecurity measures taken and socio-economic and
ecological factors. If intervention ore undertaken to handle this factors and adoption of biosecurity
measures is enhanced at farm level productivity of poultry in Tulimani ward can be improved.

In depended variable depended variable

Constrains affecting

Poultry rearing

Products rearing

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 Enhance productivity of
poultry

poultry

Adoption of adequate technology

Adverse socio economic

And ecological factors

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 CHAPTER THREE

3.0 METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
In this chapter, the research design, the target population, the sample size, the sampling
process, the data collection method and instruments, the validity and reliability of data method
which be used for data analysis are discussed, Ethical consideration and operation variable.

3.2 Research design

The study adopted a description design approach. This is because the objective was to obtain
some insight in to the factors that determines poultry farming in the study areas of the
locations within Tulimani ward. The design was preferred because it was regarded as a
systematic. The design contributed to a deeper insight and better understanding of the
research problem, accurate and fair interpretation of results.

Lastly, was flexible enough and therefore allowed the responded to raise issues with the researcher in
relation to some question and matters which were not clear in the questionnaire or during interview
process.

3.3 Target population

Since the aim of the study was to analyses the factors that influence poultry farming in Tulimani ward.
Data required for analysis were obtained from poultry farmers who were registered with the county
government of Makueni County and were included in the survey. Approximately 300 farmers who were
registered with the county government. A preliminary survey conducted revealed that of 300 farmers
who were registered with the Makueni county government, 75 were from Kalawani, 60 were from
Wanzauni, 54 were from Mavindu, 36 from Kango, 30 from Kwa mutisya, 27 from Tulimani location and
18 from Tawa.

View locations respectively as shown below. Table 3.1

Location Kalawani Wanzauni Mavindu Kango Kwa Tulimani Tawa

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 Mutisya

Number 75 60 54 36 30 27 18c
of
Farmers

It was from this population that a random sample was drawn as outlined in sub-section 3.4.1 below

3.4 Sample size and sampling procedure

3.4.1 Sample size
The population of the poultry farmers who were registered with makueni county government was
300. Out of this number I took 100 as my sample size. This is because Kothari (2006) says that sample
size of 10-30 percent is reasonable.

The proposed number of poultry farmers who were surveyed from each location was determined
proportionally according to the number of farmers who were registered with Makueni county
government from Kalawani the proportion of the farmers who were surveyed was determined as
75/300*100

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3.4.2 Sampling procedures

The number of farmers that were surveyed from each location was proportionate to the number of
poultry farmers in that location in relation to the total population of registered farmers as outlined
below

TABLE 3.2

Target population

Number of poultry Locations Proportions of farmers out NO. of farmers to

farmers of 300 be surveyed

75 Kalawani 0.25 25

60 Wanzauni 0.20 20

54 Mavindu 0.18 12

36 Kango 0.12 12

30 Kwa Mutisya 0.10 10

27 Tulimani 0.09 09

18 Tawa 0.06 06

300 Total 1.00 100

From the register listed from each location a sample random process were the first persons to be picked
for the survey. This was followed by every third consecutive farmer after the proceeding farmer who
was picked last. The process was repeated until the number of farmer to be surveyed was reached.

3.5 Research instruments

3.5.1 Piloting instruments
Before embarking on actual research, questionnaires were constructed and a pilot study was
conducted in one of the nearest locations. Out span, next to where the researcher stays to enable the
researcher to test the validity and the reliability of the research instrument was to be used in the data
collection exercise. Another reason for the pilot test is that it was enable me as a researcher to
familiarize myself with what kind of feedback to get from those who were respondents and to make any

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necessary adjustments to the research instruments were certain matters were not clear to the
respondents.

3.5.2 Validity of the instrument

To test the validity of the researcher instruments, a test method was applied. The purpose of the test
to test method was to ascertain the reliability, quality, accuracy and consistency of the answers that was
obtained from the respondents. For example, in establishing the age of the responded, he or she can be
asked to state his or he age.

3.5.3 Reliability of the instruments

To test the reliability accuracy and constituency of the information, the same responded is asked
sometimes later to store when he or she was born and then co-relate the date of birth with the age
which was stated earlier. Quantitate validity of the research instruments was to ensure by processing
the collected tabulation methods. Data collected was checked while still in the field to ensure that all
questions are answered. Contradictory information was removed if found intake. This was done as a
prerequisite for the preparation of the final research instruments.

3.6 Data analysis procedure

The data collected was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The qualitative analysis take the farm
of calculations of percentages, mean, range, standard dimensions, analysis of violence and presentation
in the form of table. Quantitative analysis take the form of multiple regression analyze the test of
relationship between the independent variable (the output in terms of volume sale in kilograms
produced) and the in depended variables used (quality of feeds labour hours expected quality of
vaccines administered, quality of energy used in terms of kilowatts. The relationship between outputs of
the poultry farm socio economic characteristics was established by running regression analyses.

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 CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSIONS
4.1 Introduction
The chapter represents and discuss the results of the analysis of the factors that influence poultry
rearing in Tulimani ward. The results of a form characteristics which influence the productivity and
production of poultry farming in the study area factors analysis are presented and discussed in sub-
section 4.5

4.2 Response rate

The researcher administered hundred questioners to randomly selected farmers in seven locations
within the Tulimani ward which were turned dully filled, representing a response rate of 100%.

4.3 Demographic analysis

4.3.1 Age of the responded
The ages of responded would show the energy level and the importance attached to the project. The
respondent indicated their ages as shown in the table below.

The table 4.1 distribution of the age of the respondent, ages and frequency percentage.

Age Frequency Percentage

(below 20) years 5 5

21-30 years 17 17

31-40 years 53 53

41-50 years 15 15

Over 50 years 10 10

Total 100 100

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The results that majority (53%) 53 out of 100 of the projects farmers are middle aged adults at (31- 40)
years at 17%, 17 age and young adult at below 20 years are quite few representing only 10% and 5%
respectively. poultry farming is common respondents were within the economically active age category
and this is a line with yinusa (1999) who observed that this age bracket contains the innovative,
motivated and adaptable individuals.

4.3.2 Years of involvement in the project

Experience is in most others area is critical in poultry production and therefore the study aimed at
establishment of the years of experience the poultry project farmers have and the results are shown
below.

Table 4.2 of involvement by the project farmers

Year Frequency Percentage

Less than 5 years 65 65

Between (5-7) years 25 25

Over 7 years 10 10

Total 100 100

The table shows the purity projects are relatively new in Tulimani ward, Makueni County since majority
of the responded (65%) 65 out of 100 have practiced for a longer time over 7 years of experience. Little
years of experience could be the reason for low poultry production among the poultry farmers in the
study area. The knowledge of management which is a key to profitable poultry production is gained
through years of experience of poultry farmers.

4.4 Farm input and poultry production

In order to understand how certain farm characteristics influence productivity and production in
poultry farming in the study. It was necessary to carry out a technical efficiency analysis of the factors,
which were incorporated in the technical efficiency model specified in sub section 3.7 of this study.
Ethical efficiency analysis of poultry farmers who were included in the survey ware based on the
stochastic production frontier analysis approach. In the most microeconomics textbooks producers are
treated as successful optimizers, that is they are convectional economic techniques build on this project
in order to estimate the production cost where deviations of the actual yields (observed) are compared
with optimal (expected) and then the results are models as statistical noise.

However through every producer may attempt to optimize profits not all of them may succeed in their
efforts, given some efforts, given some inputs and some technology. Some farmers produce more

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output while others produce less because of their differences. Therefore economies estimation
techniques allow for the fact that deviation of observed chooses from optical ones are due to the
factors, failure to optimize and random shacks. Hence stochastic frontier analysis appr4oach was used to
explain the procedure behavior.

4.5 Socio-economic factors in poultry production

Factors that influence poultry production is not only affected by the physical inputs such as the land
area, labour, quality of feeds use, quality of vaccines applied and the quantity of energy used but also by
socio economic demographic institutional and non-physical factors. Socio economic factors included this
study which were demanded to affect the technical efficiencies of poultry farmers were: age level of
education, number of years of poultry farmer experience, engagement in other income generating
activities other than poultry farming access to credit.

This is because the poultry farmers grows older, he gains more experience in poultry farming which in
turn gives him ability to combine resources input used in poultry production in optional manner. Gives
the available technology one another possible reason adduced was that the order the poultry farmer the
higher the chances he had more resources at his disposal which included family labour building and
land.

The age variables parameters were conficantly different from zero at 1% leave for all the seven locations
surveyed and the parameters estimate the age for the farmers in the survey had uniformly the same
negative sign and were statistically significant. This implied that the age positively influenced poultry
production of the poultry farmers of the study area. The average ages of the farmers surveyed are
indicated below.

The table 4.3 below indicates age distribution of poultry farmers of the study area age in
years.
Age in years Below 20 21-30 31-40 41-50- 51 and above

Number of farmers 5 17 53 15 10

Percentage 5 17 53 15 10

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The table indicates the most (53) of the responded were between the ages 31-40 while 10% were 51
years and above. This implied that poultry farming was common among young farmers unlike those
who are above 50 years which represented 10% of the responded in this study the farmers between 21
to 40 years (70%) indicated that majority of the responded in this study.

The farmers between 21 to 40 years indicated majority of responded were within the economically
active age category and is line with yinusa findings who observed that the age bracket of 21-40 years
comprise of innovative, motivated and adaptable individual who are actively engaged in economic
positive process.

Formal education plays an important role in upgrading people’s concioness in understanding the
substance of various agricultural inputs required in poultry production. Education also plays a role in
enabling the poultry farmer understand environmental where he operates the factors affecting it. The
variable level of education, that is, the number of years of schooling achieved by the poultry farmer was
used sass proxy for managerial input. Increased poultry farming experience couple with higher level of
educational achievement may lead to higher technical efficiency in poultry production, including
efficient use of inputs.

The parameters for poultry farming experience for Tulimani ward was good. This implied that ,
experience was positively related to poultry farming efficiency (but negatively related farmers technical
inefficiency) .This is because the poultry farmer engages more of his time in poultry farming which gives
him ability to combine resources in an optimal manner, gives the available technology. The experience
of poultry farmer helps in lowering production inefficiency in the farm. Farmer knowledge and
information and high skills in farming techniques and management which improve the technical
efficiency of the farmer. Farming experience also enables a farmer to adopt to climate change new
agricultural practices and ability to spread risks.

The table 4.4below illustrates how poultry farming experience varied among the poultry
farmers of the study area.

Level of experience in Less than 5 years 5-7 years Above 7 years

years

Frequency 65 25 10

Percentage 25 25 10

The average poultry farming experience was 4.4 with a standard deviation of 0.9 which implied that
poultry farming experienced valid significance among the poultry farmers of the study area. Farmers
with more experience in poultry farming were more technically efficient in poultry production that those
who had few years in farming experience as was revealed by technical efficiency results.

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4.6 Technology adoption and poultry production
Technology innovation plays a very important role in agricultural production, poultry production
included. If new and innovative agricultural technologies developed for farmers are not transferred in
correct (appropriate) manner and adopted accordingly, all the efforts by researchers who developed
such new innovative technologies would have been in vain. A farmer is a rational decision maker who
normally strives for a better standard of living and sacks ways of adopting new innovative technologies
by poultry farmer of study area.

The respondent were grouped in to five; No formal education, primary level, secondary level, Diploma
collage, graduates and post graduates. Most of the respondents were secondary, tertiary and illiterate in
that order. The coefficient of educational status in the adoption of poultry farming was negative.

This implies that education level influences farmer’s access to information as well as their ability to
under their aspects of innovations which largely affects production decisions.

The results was of vaccines with the study they pointed out that farmer’s decision on the technology
adoption positively influenced by the age of house hold head.

They observed that farmers who are above 39 years of age most likely to have lower adoption rates
because order people are not fast at adoption of new technology while young farmers tend to be more
flexible in their decision to adopt new ideas and technologies more rapidly. On the other hand Ghush,
Goswami and Mazunder (2004) showed that education of respondent was significantly correlated with
adoption of improved animals husbandly.

4.6.1 Poultry farmer’s perception of adoption of technology in poultry production

Poultry farmer’s perception of adoption of technology in poultry farming influence poultry production
increase or decrease presented in the table 4.5below.

Table 4.5

Farmer’s perception of adoption of technology and poultry rearing and production

S. Frequency Percentage
N

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 Perceived Benefits SA A U D SD

1 Technology potential of my product promising 15 17 15 27 30

2 Searching for new technology for my products is not so 40 20 10 5 15

difficult

3 Technology for my products well planned 20 15 5 27 33

4 I have information on new technology of my products 50 15 10 5 10

5 Adopt of technology in poultry in farming influence 60 15 10 5 10

production

N/B 1 SD---Strong disagree, 2 D –Disagree, 3 U ---Underlined, 4 A ---Agree, 5 SA------ Strong Agree.

From table above most (60%) 0f the respondents strongly agreed that the adoption of technology in
poultry farming influence production and helps in increasing profits made from the poultry business.
More than half of the respondents perceived that adoption of technology increased production of
poultry products. (Eggs, meat and poultry droppings which would be used as manure to boost
agricultural production.) The responded stated that, having information on new technology of their
products improved well-being of the farmers house hold. At least products is not difficult. This because
of more former interview were between the age of bracket of 21.-40 years who much familiar
technology.

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 CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMENTATIONS

5.1 Introductions
This chapter presents the summary of the findings, conclusions, recommendations and
suggestions for further study.

5.2Summary of findings
5.2.1 Farm inputs and poultry products
The results indicates that increase in land use would result to an increase in output.
Alternatively, it can be urged that every unit increase in farm size increases like hood of the
poultry farmers to increase their poultry production because an increase in farm size is likely to
increase their poultry production. Since the coefficient of land area was significantly different
from zero, it can be implied that land area influences poultry productivity and production. The
results is in agreement with the findings of Mwachukwa & Onyenwauku (2009) who argued
that: fragmentation of land holding had an important bearing on technical efficiency on
agricultural production, because land fragmentation did not give rise to economy of large-scale
production. However, Bravo-Ureta and Pinheiro (1997) & Wadud & White (2003) argued that
there is no relationship between land area and agricultural production productivity.

The above findings was in agreement with the findings of Ongundaru & Ojo (2006) in their
study of an Examination of Technical, Economical and allocative Efficiency of Small Farms.

5.2.2 socio-economic factors and poultry production

The results shows that majority (53%) out of 100 of the poultry projects farmers are middle
aged adults at (31-40) years, followed by young adults of (21-30) years at 17%, 17 out of 100
who are energetic. Older farmers over 51 years aged and young adults at (below 20) years are
quite few representing only 10%and 5% respectively. This implies that poultry poultry farming is
common among young farmers unlike those who are above 51 years which represents 10% of
the respondents in this study. The ages range from 21-40 years indicates that’s majority of
respondents were within the economically active age category and this is in line with Yinusa
(1999) who observed that this age bracket contains the innovative, motivated and adapted
individuals.

The parameters for poultry farming experience for Tulimani ward farmers moderate. This
implied that, experience was positively related to a poultry farmer’s efficiency (but negatively

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related to a farmer’s technical inefficiency). This is because as poultry farmers engage more of
his time in poultry farming, which gives him ability to combine resources in an optimal manner,
given the available technology. The experience of poultry farmer helps in lowering in
production efficiency in the farm. This findings of Nhemachama & Hassan (2007) who also find
out that farming experience enhanced a farmer’s knowledge and information and high skills in
farming techniques and management, which improve the technical efficiency of the farmer.

Farming experience also enables a farmer to adapt to climatic change, new agricultural
practices and ability to spread risk.

5.2.3 Technology adaptation and poultry production

The parameter estimate of age was low. This indicates that adoption of technology of the
poultry farming was not determined by the age of the respondents. This is attributed to the
facts that most of the respondents under study were in the category of young from 21-40 years.
This is because as the poultry farmer grows order, he gains more experience in poultry farming,
which in turn gives him the ability to combine resource inputs used in poultry production in an
optimal manner, given the available technology (Idiong, 2005)

Most (60%) of the respondent strongly agreed that the adoption of technology in poultry
farming and helps in increasing profit made from the poultry business. Poultry products (Eggs,
meat and poultry droppings, which could be used as manure to boost agricultural production).
The respondent stated that, having information on new technology of their products improved
well-being of the farmer’s house hold.

AT least (40%) agreed that searching for new technology for their technology for their products
is not difficult. This because of more farmer interview were between the ages of bracket 21-40
who were much familiar with new technology trend required to handle the increase in the
poultry business. Among the respondents (27%) strongly discharged that technology potential
of their products is promising to boost their poultry production.

CONCLUSION
The study established that technical efficiency of the efficiency of the poultry farmers of the
study area was very low (approximately 57 percent was revealed by the analysis). The low

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technical efficiency could be as a result of factors that influencing poultry production in the
study area. Such factors include farm inputs. Land area, quantity and quality of labour supplied,
quantity and quality of feed administered, the amount of vaccines applied to the birds and the
quantity of energy used positively influenced poultry farming in the study area. However,
engagement in other income generating activities other than poultry farming was found to have
a negative influence in on poultry farming.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Given small size and fragmented nature of the poultry farmers’ plots, it was uneconomical for
the individual small scale poultry farmers to reap economies of scale which would make them
minimize their costs of production.

To overcome this problem, it was recommended that the small scale poultry farmers group
themselves in large land units, which are economically manageable scheme.

Through a large land unit, the farmers are likely to enjoy economies of scale in production
which has the effects of lowering average cost per unit. Average cost per unit lowers to a
minimum the small scale poultry farmers are likely to reap maximum profits from their profits
from their poultry production.

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REFERENCES
Adebayo, A.O (2008) profit Efficiency Among Female Smallholder Farmers in Atiba Local

Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. Journal of Economic Theory. 2(3): 77-83.

Adebayo, O.O. and Adeola, R.G. (2005). Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Poultry Farmers in

Eligbo Local Government of Osuna state. Journal of Human Ecology, 18(10):39-41

Adetayo .A. and Itebu .A (2013) challeges of small poultry farms in layer production, Ibadan Oyo

State Nigeria, Global Jornal of science Frontier Research, Agriculture and veterinary

Science, Vol 13 issue 2 version 1.o

Ajibefun, I,A., Battese, G.E. and Daramola, A.G., 2002. Determinants of technical efficiency in

Smallholder food crop farming: Application of stochastic frontier production function.

Journal of international Agriculture, 41(3):225-240

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Troung Thi Ngoc Chi & Ryuichi Yamada. (2002). Factors affecting farmers’ adoption of

Technologies in farming system: A case study in OMon district, Can Tho Province,

Mekong Delta. Omonrice, 10: 94-100.

Akanni, K.A (2007) Effects of famine of micro-finance on small scale poultry business in south

Western nigeriaEmir. J. Food Agric. 2007.19 (2): 38-47

Al_hassan, s. (2008). Technical Efficiency of rice farmers in northern Ghana. Researcher paper

178. Nairobi: African Economics Research Conortium (AERC)

Ali,M. and D. Byerlee, (1991) Economic Efficiency of Small Farmers in a Changing World: A

Survey of Research Evidence J.Int Development.cultural Change, 3:1-27.

Ashagidigbi W.M, Sulaiman S.A And Adesiyan, A. (2011): Technical and Allowance and

Efficiency of Poultry Egg producers in Nigeria. Agricultural journal

6(4): 124-130,

Balty,J. (1995). Domesticated fowls and Geese, Spar Publications, England

Battese, G.E. and T.J. Coelli. 1995. “A model for technical inefficiency effects in effects in a

Stochastics Frontier production for panel data”. Empirical Economics, 20: 325—32.

Coelli, T. and G. Battese, 1996. Identification of factors which influence the technical

Inefficiency of Indian farmers, Australian J Agri. Econs., 40: 103-128.

Beg M.A.H, Baqui, M.A, Sarker, N.R and Hossain. M.M. (2011) effects of stocking density and

Feeding regime on performance of broiler chicken in summer season. International

Journal of poultry science vol 10(5): 365- 375

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APPENDIX
LETTER OF TRANSMITAL

Alfred Mwendwa,

P.O.BOX 1186,

Machakos.

Cell phone 0717378247.

Email: [email protected]

15th NOVEMBER, 2021

The district livestock officer,

Makueni county government,

P.O BOX

Dear sir/madam.

RE: REQUEST FOR RESEARCH DATA COLLECTION

I am a student undertaking Diploma in General Agriculture at Ol’lesos Technical Training

Institute. As part of my assessment I am required to submit a research project report.
Consequently, I have written a proposal for a research on factors affecting rearing of poultry
production in Tulimani ward, makueni county, Kenya. I have therefore designed a questionnaire
to enable me collect the relevant data and wish to seek your authority to collect data from the
sampled farmers of poultry project.

The information obtained shall be strictly used for academics purposes only and will be availed
to your request.

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Alfred Mwendwa.

RESPODENTS QUESTIONNAIRE

How does farm inputs influence poultry production?

1. Indicate the type of the poultry do you have

Broilers___ Layers__ Cockerels__ Village/backyard__
2. What is your flock size?

Less than 50__ 51-250____Above 250___

3. How many square meters do they occupy? ________

4. How many workers do you employ to take care of poultry farming per day on the
average_________________
5. Indicate the amount of each worker pay per day on the average? Ksh_______
6. How many kilograms of feeds do you use per day? _______kg.
7. How much do you pay on the average per kilogram? Ksh_______
8. Do you administer preventive medicines (vaccines) to your birds? Yes__ No ___

Which of the following vaccine do you administer? Tick appropriately.

Marrex__________ Quantity in liters ________
Newcastle vaccine________ Quantity in liters________
Newcastle + infections bronchitis________ Quantity in liters_________
Fowl pox__________ Quantity in liters_________
9. How much do you spend on the vaccines per liter administered? Ksh______
10. How many poultry did you sell per cycle of poultry kept? __________birds.
11. What was the weight of the birds on the average kilograms? ________kg
12. How much did you charge per kilogram of the poultry sold? Ksh._________

B How does socio-economic characteristics influence poultry production?

13. What is your age bracket? Below 20 years____ , 20-30 years ______, 31—40
years_____, 41-50 years______, over 50 years_____
14. What is your level of education? No formal education_____, Primary level_____,
Secondary ________, Diploma______, Graduate_____, Postgraduate_______.

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 15. Do you spent your labour hours on other income generating activities other than
poultry farming? Yes___, No___.
16. For how long have you been a poultry farmer? Less than 1
year___1yr___2yrs___3yrs____4yrs____5yrs____6yrs____7yrs___ over
7yrs_____.
17.
18. Do you have access to credit to enable you run your poultry? Yes____ No_____
if yes where did you get your financing from?
Bank loan___Boosting strapping. Chama/merry go round _____saving ______

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