Abstract:
The study set out to examine in terms of severity, the constraints to production, distribution and consumption of locally processed poultry meat. A multi-stage sampling technique was used where simple random was used to select the farmers and snow-ball used to select the consumers and sellers. This summed up to 36 poultry farmers, 72 poultry meat sellers and 108 poultry meat consumers, making a total of 216 respondents for the study. Linear multiple regression model and Ordinary Least Square technique were used to estimate supply and demand for locally processed poultry meat. Kendall’s Coefficient of Concordance was also used to rank the constraints in order of severity.Disease outbreaks, relative high price of locally processed poultry meat and high average cost of inputs impacted significantly in the supply of locally processed poultry meat. In descending order of severity, high average cost of inputs and low tariffs on imported poultry meat were constraints to production. Price of locally processed poultry meat, income of consumers, proportion of consumer’s income spent on poultry meat and cultural consideration were significant in the demand for locally processed poultry meat.In decreasing order of severity, relative higher prices of locally processed poultry meat and relative cheaper prices of imported processed poultry meat constrained consumption. Poultry farmers, sellers and consumers agreed to the order of severity of the constraints. The Ministry of Trade and Industry should consider imposition of heavy tariffs on imported processed poultry meat and also poultry farmers should adopt more efficient technology in production.
