PERCEPTION OF POULTRY FARMERS’ TOWARDS AGRICULTURAL PLASTICS WASTE MANAGEMENT IN JOS NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT This study examines the perception of poultry farmers towards agricultural plastics waste management in Jos north LGA of Plateau State, Nigeria. It aims at describing the socio economic characteristics of the respondents, evaluate the awareness and perception of poultry farmers on agricultural plastic management and disposal, evaluating the awareness and perception of poultry farmers on the environmental impact of agricultural plastics and Identifying the constraint of poultry farmers to proper disposal and management of plastic waste. To achieve the aims of the study a total number of 120 sampled respondents were surveyed using questionnaire and subjected to analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 2023. The result for the economic characteristic of respondents revealed that about 70.8% are male while about 29.2% are females, majority are young with a percentage of 38.3%, majority married with a percentage of 61.7% Also, in terms of educational level the finding respondents shows that majority had gone through tertiary education showing a percentage of 56.7 at a frequency of 68 and lowest was no formal education with 0.0 respond. The scale of farm size shows that majority have a medium scale farm of about 1000-5000 bird with an annual income of ₦500,000-₦1,000,000, about 40.0% raising Layers, 33.3% Broilers lowest of 26.7% both. The finding shows that the respondents are aware and have high perception of Agricultural plastic management, high perception on climate change due to agriculture practice and have received training on how plastic management and disposal can be improved. Meanwhile 56.7% stated that the disposal the plastic materials are very difficult, Financial constraints Limited knowledge or training are the major constraint to proper disposal so also majority of the 57% respondents receive no support from the government. From the results of the finding it revealed the for a sustainable agricultural waste management and disposal there is a need for Training or education with 55.0% at frequency of 66 and Access to equipment or facilities with 20.0% at a frequency of 24. . The findings indicate that while farmers are aware of the importance of proper agricultural plastic management and disposal, they face significant challenges, including financial constraints, limited knowledge or training, and lack of access to facilities. At the cost of the results developed by the finding the following recommendations were made the government or other stakeholders should get more involved for proper agricultural plastic management and disposal and Regular training, workshop and advertisement.