Keywords
Poultry Processing
Small-scale
Slaughter
Water footprint
How to Cite
Abstract
The study assessed the water footprint of small-scale poultry meat processing plants in five Kano metropolitan local government areas (LGAs). Data were collected through structured questionnaires from 100 poultry processors and physical observations across Fagge, Kano Municipal, Kumbotso, Tarauni, and Ungoggo LGAs. The results revealed that poultry processing is dominated by men (100%), with majority (64%) aged between 20–40 years and married (54%). Most respondents (91%) slaughtered multiple species, and 66% of them slaughtered over 100 birds daily. Their primary water sources were vendors (75%), with 54% of poultry processors spending more than ₦1000 to purchase water from vendors daily. General cleaning consumed the highest volume of water (2.4 L/kg bird, 63% of total use), followed by scalding (800 mL/kg, 21%). Majority (58%) of respondents discharge their effluent into municipal drainage systems, while 28% dispose of wastewater in open areas without recycling practices. It was concluded that poultry processing in Kano Metropolitan is a young able men dominated practices with limited formal education. General cleaning and scalding consumed the highest amount of water while, most processors relied on vended water with inadequate wastewater disposal methods. It is recommended that piped-borne water and subsidised boreholes should be provided.
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