ROLE OF POULTRY PRODUCTION IN BOOSTING YOUTH EMPOWERMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper examined the roles of poultry production in boosting youth empowerment in Nigeria. Among the challenges facing Nigeria is unemployment issues, particularly among the youth. Poultry farming stands as unexploited resources that can pave way to employment for millions of Nigerian youths and also alleviate the problems of nutritional and livelihood status of the citizen. This paper through a review of literature scrutinizes the importance of poultry and poultry products and explores how it can be harnessed as a relief for unemployment challenges among youths. Various potentials in poultry production were discussed, challenges the youth may be encountering in poultry production were also explored. Recommendations made include organizing a series of seminars and workshops by government and non-governmental organizations for poultry farmers in order to learn and update their knowledge of poultry production. Government should use poultry production business as a means to pursue youth empowerment in order to reduce level of unemployment in the country. To encourage poultry production, credit facilities should be made available to farmers with little or no interest, so that establishing standard hatcheries and breeding farms which are necessary for boosting poultry business among farmers is made easy.