ABSTRACT
This study examined the economic analysis of poultry production in Kwara State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 80 poultry farmers from 480 registered poultry farmers in the state. In the first stage, four (4) Local Government Areas (LGAs) were randomly selected out of the 16 LGAs in Kwara State. The second stage involves the random selection of four wards from each LGA given a total number of 16 wards. The third stage is the random selection of 5 farmers from each of the 16 wards selected. Both primary and secondary data were used for this study. Primary data were collected with the use of structured questionnaires designed in line with the objectives of the study while secondary data were from journals, conference papers and poultry production association documents. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency tables and percentages, inferential statistics including ordinary least squares regression analysis, farm budgetary and cost benefit ratio. The results of the study showed that 72.5% of the respondents were male, 78.7% were married. The mean age was 38.7 years and 63.8% choose poultry farming as main occupation. Analysis of costs and returns revealed that poultry production was profitable in the study area. The net farm income from layers production stood at ₦1,534,093.53 while that of broilers was ₦ 1,966,086.49 in one production cycle respectively. The regression analysis showed that the cost of day old chick, cost of labor, feed cost and cost of equipment were the significant factors affecting poultry production in the study area. They increase as the size of production increases. The regression analysis showed that the cost-of day old chicks, labor, feed and equipment were the significant factors affecting poultry production in the study area. They increase as the size of production increases. To achieve optimum output and maximum profit, poultry producers in the study area would have to stem down cost of production. Provision of technical education through extension agents would greatly help in achieving this lofty goal. Keyword: Poultry Production, Budgetary Analysis, Benefit Cost Ratio and Regression Analysis
CHAPTER ONE
- INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The poultry industry is very important to the Nigerian economy because it provides a good source of animal protein in eggs and meat. Protein plays important roles in the formation of a balanced human diet which is essential for the good health, vigor and productivity capacity of the people (Abdullahi, Maqbool&Bukhsh, 2007). Protein is also important in the building and repair of body tissues; a low intake of protein hinders the development of the brain, reduces the skillfulness of the young and retards the growth rate and resistance to infections (Ogidan, 2002). Animal protein sources include fish, eggs, poultry meat, beef, milk, bacon, pork and mutton. In Nigeria, the three most popular are frozen fish, beef, poultry egg and meat (Apantaku, 2006).
The usefulness of any food for body building depends on the amount of protein it contains. The poultry egg industry, apart from providing employment and livelihood to thousands of people in Nigeria, also provides high quality, nutritious food. The poultry egg is a complete protein with excellent quality; one egg will give 6g of protein and egg-white protein has a biological value of 100, the highest biological value of any single protein (FAO, 2005). Tijani, Alimi and Adesiyan, (2006) reported that eggs have a number of uses apart from domestic consumption in households; they are used in confectionary bakery products, ice creams and cosmetics. Egg shell is a good source of calcium, the nutritional status of many Nigerians is characterized by low calorie and protein intakes and Nigerians’ greatest problem is that of inadequate animal protein in their diets (Iyangbe&Orewa, 2009). However, Adepoju (2008) reported that the average per capital protein intake in Nigeria was 51.7g of which only 6.8g came from animal sources but in developed countries, the average per capita protein intake was over 90g with more than 65g of animal protein. Thus, widespread malnutrition will become more evident in the country if there is no substantial
