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American Journal of  Environmental
Economics (AJEE) 

Determinants of  Climate Change Risk Management Strategies Among the Poultry 
Farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria
R. S. Owoeye1*, Olusola Bunmi Adegbuyiro2

Volume 4 Issue 1, Year 2025
ISSN: 2833-7905 (Online)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54536/ajee.v4i1.4445
https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajee

Article Information ABSTRACT

Received: January 31, 2025

Accepted: March 03, 2025

Published: March 20, 2025

This study investigates the determinants of  climate change and risk management strategies 
among poultry farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A survey of  90 poultry farmers revealed 
that the majority perceived climate change impacts, with high humidity, drought, and solar 
radiation being the most reported factors. The most commonly adopted risk management 
strategies included vaccination, disease control measures, and improved bird breeds. Probit 
regression analysis showed that educational level, farming experience, and access to credit 
significantly influenced the adoption of  risk management strategies. The study highlights 
the importance of  education, experience, and financial access in shaping risk management 
decisions and recommends expanding credit access, strengthening extension services, 
and promoting climate adaptation programs to enhance poultry farmers’ resilience and 
sustainability in Ekiti State.

Keywords

Climate Change, Poultry Farming, 
Risk Management Strategies

1 Department of  Agricultural Economics and Extension Services, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
2 Department of  Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of  Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
* Corresponding author’s e-mail: rufus.owoeye@eksu.edu.ng

INTRODUCTION
The agricultural sector faces numerous risks that 
significantly impact production and rural welfare, making 
risk management a national and global priority (Singh & 
Hlophe, 2017). Poultry production, a crucial sub-sector in 
Nigeria, is vulnerable to production risks such as climate 
variations, predators, theft, pests, and diseases (Dil et al., 
2022). These risks threaten the growth and development 
of  the poultry industry, which provides significant 
employment opportunities and animal protein for the 
population.
Local communities possess valuable knowledge and 
experience in managing climate variability, which is 
essential for developing effective adaptation strategies 
(Calviosa et al., 2009). Climate risks vary across 
geographic locations, and their impacts on agriculture 
are regionally distinct (Rowlinson, 2008). As a result, 
adaptation responses differ across locations and are 
influenced by individual risk perceptions, socio-economic 
status, environmental conditions, and available resources. 
As a matter of  fact, poultry farmers adopt various risk 
management strategies, including disease prevention, 
financial management, and production planning (Obike 
et al., 2017). However, these strategies are influenced by 
factors such as age, household size, stock size, capital 
input, farming experience, location, cost of  medication, 
and cost of  labor (Obayelu et al., 2017). Moreover, 
research has shown that risk aversion, risk neutrality, and 
risk preference are significant factors in poultry farmers’ 
decision-making processes (Mbah, 2018).
The poultry industry is vulnerable to extreme weather 
events, which compromise farm infrastructure and 
lead to reduced productivity and increased mortality. 
Climate risks pose significant challenges to the industry’s 

contributions to addressing poverty and achieving 
national development goals, such as the Agricultural 
Transformation Agenda (ATA). The poultry industry 
faces numerous challenges, including technical, labor, 
and input-related constraints (Malkeke & Okwen, 2017). 
To mitigate these risks, farmers employ diversification, 
marketing, and production strategies (Obike et al., 2017). 
Furthermore, research has highlighted the importance 
of  risk management in poultry production, with factors 
such as age, household size, and farming experience 
influencing disease prevention and financial management 
strategies (Adeyonu et al., 2021).
Thornton et al. (2008) highlight the knowledge gaps 
regarding climate change impacts on livestock systems 
and livelihoods. They emphasize the need for detailed 
assessments of  localized impacts and identification of  
adaptation options. However, limited access to reliable 
information on climate risks and management hinders 
small-scale poultry farmers’ ability to adapt. To address 
these challenges, small-scale poultry farmers must 
consider management options to mitigate climate-related 
risks. It is essential to examine the nature and extent 
of  their adaptation to climate-related risks, considering 
factors such as risk perceptions, socio-economic status, 
and environmental conditions.
This study aims to contribute to the literature on risk 
management in poultry production by assessing the level 
of  risk management and analyzing its determinants among 
poultry farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. By understanding 
the factors that influence risk management practices, 
policymakers and stakeholders can develop effective 
strategies to support the sustainability and profitability of  
the poultry industry (Victor & Derlin, 2021).



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Am. J. Environ Econ. 4(1) 43-46, 2025

MATERIALS AND METHODS
The Study Area
This research was carried out in Ekiti State, which is situated 
in the Southwestern region of  Nigeria. Ekiti State, positioned 
in the tropical zone, was established on the 1st of  October, 
1996, and comprises 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs). 
It covers an approximate land area of  6,602.8 square 
kilometers and had a population of  2,432,321 according 
to the National Population Census of  2006. Ekiti State is 
primarily an agricultural region, with key cash crops including 
cocoa, timber, oil-palm, and kolanuts. Food crops like 
cassava, yam, cocoyam, as well as grain crops such as maize 
and rice are also cultivated. Likewise, animal production 
enterprises, such as poultry, are predominant in Ekiti State. 
In this area, men are predominantly engaged in farming, 
while women are primarily involved in trading activities. 
Even among the educated local residents employed in the 
formal sector, farming serves as a secondary occupation 
(Owoeye et al., 2023). The State experiences two distinct 
seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. As of  the 2006 
National Population Census, Ekiti State had a population of  
3,423,535. 

Sampling Technique and Sampling Size 
A multi-stage sampling technique was used. In first stage, 
six (6) Local Government Areas (LGAs) were selected 
purposively based on the intensity of  poultry production 
(i.e., Ado, Ikere, Ikole, Ijero, Irepodun/Ifelodun and Ido-
Osi). In the second stage, three (3) communities were 
chosen from each LGA. Lastly, five (5) poultry farmers 
were chosen, making the sample size to be ninety (90) 
respondents. 

Data Collection 
Primary data was collected with the aid of  a well-structured 
questionnaire which was used to collect quantitative data 
from the selected respondents to generate information 
on the set objectives of  the study.

Data Analysis
Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed 
to analyze the collected data for the study.

Descriptive Statistics 
This was used to analyze the data collected on the 
perceived climate change and climate adaptation strategies 
in the study area

Inferential Statistics
Probit Regression analysis was used to examine the 
factors influencing the adoption of  risk management 
strategies among poultry farmers. The model is specified 
below
Y = Xβ+ε
Where:
y = Adoption of  risk management strategies (yes = 1, 
otherwise = 0)

• X represents the vector of  independent variables.
• β represents the vector of  coefficients.

• Ε represents the error term, which is normally 
distributed with mean 0 and variance σ2

(X1) = Age of  the Farmer (in years)
(X2) = Gender (1 = Male, 0 = Female)
(X3) = Education Level (0 = No formal education, 1 = 
Primary, 2 = Secondary, 3 = Tertiary)
(X4) = Flock Size (number of  birds or hectares)  
(X5) = Income from Poultry Farming (Naira) 
(X6) = Farming Experience (Years)
(X7) = Access to Finance/Credit (1 = Yes, 0 = No)
(X8) = Membership in Cooperative Society (1 = Yes, 0 = No)
(X9) = Access to Extension Services (1=Yes, 0=No)
(X10) = Access to Climate Information (1=Yes, 0=No)
(X11) = Perception of  Climate Change as a Risk (1=Yes, 
0=No)
(X12) = Type of  Poultry Farming (Broilers, layers, or mixed)

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Perception of  Climate Change
The results of  a study on the perception of  climate change 
in poultry farming show that various factors contribute 
to the perceived change. The majority of  respondents 
(57.8%) perceive high humidity as a significant factor in 
climate change, as it can lead to heat stress in poultry, 
resulting in reduced productivity and increased mortality. 
Drought is also perceived as a significant factor in climate 
change, with 54.4% of  respondents citing it as a major 
concern. Drought can lead to water scarcity, reduced feed 
availability, and increased feed costs, all of  which can have 
a significant impact on poultry farming.
Other factors, such as high temperature and heat (40.0%), 
irregular rainfall (43.3%), extreme weather events (45.6%), 
diseases and pests (40.0%), poor air quality (44.4%), and 
solar radiation (46.7%), are also perceived as significant 
contributors to climate change. These factors can all have 
a range of  impacts on poultry farming, including reduced 
productivity, increased mortality, and reduced feed 
availability. The results of  this study highlight the need for 
farmers to adapt to climate change in order to maintain 
productivity and profitability. Adapting to climate change 
can involve a range of  strategies, including the use of  
climate-resilient breeds, improved farm management 
practices, and the adoption of  new technologies.

Table 1: Distribution of  the respondent by the 
Perception of  Climate Change
Perception of  climate 
change

Frequency Percentage

High temperature and heat 36 40.0
Long period of  drought 49 54.4
High humidity 52 57.8
Irregular rainfall 39 43.3
Extreme weather events 41 45.6
Diseases and pests 36 40.0
Poor air quality 40 44.4
Solar radiation 42 46.7

Source: Computed Data Survey, 2024



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Factors Responsible for the Adoption of  Risk 
Management Strategies
The likelihood ratio (LR) chi-square test with a value of  
60.56 indicates a moderately good fit of  the model. The 
pseudo R² value of  0.586 suggests that the independent 
variables explain 58.6% of  the variation in the adoption 
of  risk management strategies. The overall p-value 
indicates that the model is statistically significant at 
conventional levels, validating its ability to identify key 
factors influencing adoption. Educational level, farming 
experience, and access to credit are the three most 
significant variables influencing the adoption of  risk 
management strategies in Ekiti State, Nigeria.
The educational level of  farmers significantly impacts 
their ability to adopt risk management strategies, with 
higher-educated farmers being better informed and more 
likely to adopt innovative practices. Farming experience 
also plays a crucial role, as experienced farmers are more 
aware of  potential risks and the importance of  mitigation 
strategies. This is in agreement with Didunyemi and 
Owoeye, 2022 on comparative profitability analysis of  

broiler production systems in Ekiti State, Nigeria who 
concluded that poultry farmers in the Ekiti State were 
well experienced, thereby making them to be efficient.
 Access to credit is also a significant factor, with farmers 
having greater access to credit being more likely to 
implement risk management measures. Financial 
resources enable farmers to invest in preventive strategies 
such as high-quality feed, improved housing, vaccination 
programs, and disease control measures.
Demographic factors such as sex, age, and flock 
size also influence the adoption of  risk management 
strategies. Young farmers, larger flock sizes, and higher-
income farmers are more likely to adopt risk mitigation 
measures. Additionally, farmers who perceive the 
impact of  climate change are more likely to adopt risk 
management measures. However, surprisingly, increased 
access to extension services reduces the likelihood of  
farmers adopting risk management strategies. This may 
be due to inadequate or outdated information provided 
by extension officers, leading farmers to seek alternative 
sources of  knowledge.

Table 2: Probit Regression Analysis of  Factors responsible for the Adoption of  Risk Management Strategies
Independent Variables Coefficient Standard Error P-Value
Sex .5690701 .4466915 0.203
Age .0270027 .0311551 0.386
Educational Level .2179103** 0.0087 0.04
Farming Experience .0387157** 0.0019 0.05
Flock Size .0004495 .001948 0.817
Types of  poultry Farming .1763163 .2251536 0.434
Income 2.72e-06 2.64e-06 0.304
Access to Credit .7078422* .4231387 0.094
Members in cooperatives .1717256 .427664 0.688
Extension services -.0568243 .435656 0.896
Climate Change .2416548 .4305206 0.575
Constant -2.033838 1.360993 0.135
LR chi2 (11) = 60.56
Prob > chi2 = 0.2106
Log likelihood = -33.340254
Pseudo R2 = 0.586

Source: Computed Data Survey, 2024

Adopted Risk Management Strategies 
Poultry farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria are adopting various 
strategies to improve their productivity and profitability. 
A significant 66% of  farmers are utilizing improved 
bird breeds, which offer higher productivity, better feed 
efficiency, and resistance to diseases. This approach 
reduces production costs, minimizes mortality, and 
ensures better financial returns in the long term. Another 
crucial strategy is the use of  weather forecasts, adopted 
by 54.4% of  farmers. Weather forecasts enable farmers 
to plan ahead, reducing losses caused by extreme weather 
events. Vaccination is also widely adopted, with 76.7% of  
farmers recognizing its importance in preventing disease 

outbreaks and ensuring flock health. Enhanced housing 
is another key strategy, with 67.8% of  farmers utilizing 
this approach to protect birds from adverse weather, 
predators, and disease exposure.
Disease control measures are also critical, with 75.6% of  
farmers prioritizing this approach. Controlling diseases 
minimizes flock losses, reduces treatment costs, and 
ensures consistent production levels. Efficient water 
conservation strategies are also important, with 74.4% 
of  farmers adopting this approach to ensure a steady 
supply of  clean water for bird health and optimal growth. 
Training on risk management is essential, with 73.3% 
of  farmers adopting this approach to improve their 



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farm management and reduce risks. By adopting these 
strategies, poultry farmers can improve their productivity, 
profitability, and overall sustainability.

REFERENCES
Adeyonu, A. G., Otunaiya, A. O., Oyawoye, E. O., & 

Okeniyi, F. A. (2021). Risk perceptions and risk 
management strategies among poultry farmers 
in South-West Nigeria. Cogent Social Sciences, 7(1), 
1891719.

Calviosa, C. D., Chuluunbaatar, & Katiuscia, F. (2009). 
Tools for project design: Livestock thematic paper. 
International Fund for Agricultural Development. https://
www.ifad.org/Irkm/index.htm

Didunyemi, A. J., & Owoeye, R. S. (2022). Comparative 
profitability analysis of  broiler production systems in 
Ekiti State, Nigeria. International Journal of  Research in 
Agricultural Sciences, 9(5), 132–144.

Dili, R. M., Kalaw, R. M. B., Miguel, A. D. L., & Ting, G. 
M. (2022). Analysis of  environmental impact and 
waste management of  the egg poultry industry in the 
Philippines: A case of  San Jose, Batangas. Journal of  
Sustainability and Environmental Management, 1(2), 188–196.

Maluleke, W., & Mokwena, R. J. (2017). The effect of  
climate change on rural livestock farming: Case study 
of  Giyani policing area, Republic of  South Africa. 
South African Journal of  Agricultural Extension, 45(1), 
26–40.

Mbah, E. (2018). Investigating constraints to poultry 
management practices among smallholder farmers in 
Benue State, Nigeria. International Journal of  Sustainable 
Agricultural Research, 5(2), 27–37.

Obayelu, O. A., Olowe, A. A., & Faleye, T. G. (2017). 
Do social networks have effects on the risk attitude 
of  commercial poultry farmers? Evidence from 
Southwest Nigeria. Rural Sustainability Research, 
38(333), 1–13.

Obike, K. C., Amusa, T. A., & Olowolafe, H. B. (2017). 
Risk management and determinants of  farm output 
among small-scale poultry farmers in Ekiti State, 
Nigeria. Agro-Science, 16(2), 9–16.

Owoeye, R. S., Oluwatosin, O. O., & Ijigbade, J. O. (2023). 
Resource utilization efficiency among poultry farmers 
in Ekiti State, Nigeria. International Journal of  Advanced 
Economics, 5(9), 314–322. https://doi.org/10.51594/
ijae.v5i9.678

Rowlinson, P. (2008). Adapting livestock production 
systems to climate change–temperate zones. Proceedings 
of  the Livestock and Global Change Conference, Tunisia.

Thornton, P., & Herrero, M. (2008). Climate change, 
vulnerability, and livestock keepers: Challenges for 
poverty alleviation. Proceedings of  the Livestock and 
Global Climate Change Conference, Tunisia.

Victor, V. B., & Merlin, M. (2021). Effect of  the 
management of  mortality (chicken death) risk on the 
production of  commercial broiler farms in the city 
of  Douala, Cameroon. Journal of  Entrepreneurship and 
Organization Management, 10(5), 1–5.

Table 3: Distribution of  the Respondents by the 
Adopted Risk Management Strategies
Adopted Risk 
Management Strategies

Frequency Percentage

Improved Birds Breed 60 66.7
Weather Forecast 49 54.4
Vaccination 69 76.7
Enhanced Housing 61 67.8
Diseases Control Measures 68 75.6
Water Conservation 67 74.4
Training on Risk 
Management

66 73.3

Source: Computed Data Survey, 2024

CONCLUSION 
• Long period of  drought, solar radiation and high 

temperature and heat were the noticeable perceived 
climate changes in the study area.

• Educational level, farming experience and access to 
credit were the factors responsible for the adoption of  
risk management strategies.

• Vaccination, disease control measures, water 
conservation and enhanced housing were the noticeable 
risk management strategies adopted by the respondents 
in the study area.

Recommendations
1. Targeted incentives, such as subsidized credit and 

skill-based training, should be introduced to encourage 
male participation in poultry farming.

2. Married farmers should be incentivized to participate 
in poultry farming through family-friendly agribusiness 
programs, cooperative financing, and flexible loan 
structures.

3. Mentorship programs and financial support 
should be extended to older farmers to enhance their 
participation and adoption of  risk management strategies 
in poultry farming.

4. Policies should be developed to increase access to 
affordable credit facilities for poultry farmers to invest in 
improved housing, disease control, and climate adaptation 
techniques.

5. Structured training and extension services should 
be provided to improve poultry farmers' knowledge of  
climate adaptation strategies, disease prevention, and 
financial planning.

6. Agricultural extension services should be restructured 
to deliver timely, actionable, and localized information 
that addresses poultry farmers' real challenges.


