Profitability and constraints in the marketing of poultry birds in Delta central agricultural zone, Delta state, Nigeria

Abstract

The profitability and constraints in the marketing of poultry birds in Delta Central Agricultural Zone were investigated. The study fills the gap in empirical information on the profitability and constraints in the marketing of poultry birds. Randomly selected 54 poultry bird marketers were surveyed in 5 major markets. The primary data for the study were collected through structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using descriptive statistics. Conventional profit equation was used to analyze the net return accruable to marketers. The result of the study showed that the mean net return to the average marketer was N33,392.13. The results also showed that the cost and return per kg of bird traded were N192.80 and N167.20 respectively; 43% of the marketers obtained net return that was above the mean value, 57% obtained net return that was below the mean value. The rate of return of 87% reported in the study, implied that in every N100 invested in poultry bird marketing, N87was generated as return. The major constraints that affected profitability in the marketing of poultry birds in the area included inadequate finance (92.6%), poor transportation (92.7%) and mortality of birds (90.7%). We recommended that government should extend credit facilities to poultry bird marketers and upgrade market infrastructure in the study area.

Keywords: Profitability, Constraints, Marketing, Poultry, Birds.