Economics of Quail Production in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the economics of quail production in Ilorin, Kwara State. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from 53 farmers that were selected with the use of a snow-ball sampling technique. Major tools of analysis for the study were descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis and stochastic production frontier model. The study revealed that both males and females estimated at 54.7% and 45.3% respectively were actively involved in quail production. About 83.0% of the respondents were in the age range of 31-50 years. 66% of the respondents had tertiary education. Furthermore, gross margin analysis shows that an average of ₦212,850 was incurred on variable costs for which feed has the highest percentage (73.0%). The average net profit of ₦172,830 per production cycle per farm was realised. The mean technical efficiency in quail production was estimated at 60.5%. The major factors affecting the technical efficiency were feed, stock size, experience and farmer’s educational level. The research therefore recommended that efforts should be made to reduce feed cost through the establishment of feed mills which are to be monitored by the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) to maintain standard.

Keywords: Quail production, Quail farmers, Quail in Kwara State.