Financing small rumminant operations along gender lines in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analyzed the distribution of ruminant livestock in Imo state, the gender-perceived production constraints; the relative contributions of these ruminants to the farm household net income and the implications of these contributions to loan repayments if production is assigned on gender basis. Results showed that within the ruminant class of livestock, small ruminants, particularly goats, dominate the others, followed by sheep and then large ruminant, cattle. Their relative contribution to total farm household net income follows the same order. Female gender class was found to rear higher number of the small-ruminant livestock. However, a c2 analysis showed that no significant difference exists in their net farm income from these two classes of livestock. It was concluded that financing of these enterprises on gender basis would not significantly improve the contribution of ruminants to farm household net income and loan repayment capacity. It was recommended, among others, that the constraints imposed by factors such as poor marketing and research systems be addressed in order to translate the relative technical advantage of production of small ruminants by female farmers into financial advantage.


(Journal of Agriculture and Social Research: 2003 3(1):13-28)