Performance Of Livestock Farmers Under Special Programme For Food Security In Ohafia Agricultural Zone, Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

Far greater investment in livestock production is essential if food shortages and poverty are to be reduced and progress made towards realizing goals of National Special Programme for food Security in Nigeria. In one location (Ohafia Agricultural Zone) of the programme in Abia State, Nigeria, proportionate random sampling method was used in selecting sixty (60)
participating livestock farmers and assessment made on contributions of the innovative package on number of stock, profitability, and factors influencing change in revenue from livestock with the programme. Keeping poultry, and small ruminants offered participants relatively higher profits than keeping pigs. Feeding cost differential, selected breeds of stock, differences in veterinary costs, and number of livestock kept all positively influenced the revenue which farmers made from their product sales in the programme. Participating farmers should reinvest their profits in procuring more improved livestock breeds. Government could further assist the funding agency by subsidizing feed production to bring down the purchase prices as additional encouragement to participating farmers.

Keywords: insufficient food, Profit, Differentials, Revenue