Perception of Farm Succession Planning by Poultry Farmers in Southwest, Nigeria

This study assessed poultry farm characteristics and poultry farmers' perception of farm succession planning in southwest Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used in selecting poultry farmers in Oyo and Osun states. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results reveal that poultry farmers are predominantly small and medium scale farmers. They are mostly sole proprietors (72.5%) and family farm owners (11.9 %). Most (73.4%) farmers operated on full time basis, while others are either part - time or occasional farmers. The majority (95.9%) of the farmers had favourable perception towards farm succession planning, 30.3% had complete succession plan and 22.9% had commenced successor participation. There were no significant associations between farm ownership structure, but significant associations exist with farming status (chi(2) = 9.7), total farm debt (chi(2) = 19.2), and succession planning among the poultry farmers (p= 0.05). The study concluded that succession planning is new in the study area and must be further investigated in order to provide a data base for policy decision with regards to livestock (especially poultry) farming and aging proprietorship.