Assessment of Factors Influencing Level of Adoption of National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) Vaccine among Cattle Farmers in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Millions of Nigerians rely on their livelihood from livestock enterprises, a significant part of the country's economy. Studies have shown that animal disease is the most prominent among the numerous challenges animal production faces due to the lack of vaccination against common diseases in north-central Nigeria. This paper aims to evaluate cattle farmers' perceptions and the factors that affect how widely they use the NVRI vaccination. In Northwest Nigeria. Combined support from the livestock sector of ADPs in each state, animal health workers and NVRI staff, a total of 300 cattle beef producers were randomly selected. The permission of potential participants was obtained to circumvent coercion and forms of pressure on them when deciding to participate. Using analytical tools including descriptive statistics, Logit, and Tobit regression models. Primary data were gathered and analyzed. The perception of cattle producers shows that NVRI vaccines were readily available (3.1) to cattle farmers, cheaper than imported vaccines (3.5), protect against disease (3.4), and are economical and inexpensive for small-scale livestock farmers (3.7) compared to imported. Using Logit and and Tobit regression models, the coefficients of variables that contribute to the decision to adopt the NVRI vaccine: herd size (0.097); access to extension agent (5.981); and income (0.004) differ statistically and significantly by structure, magnitude, and probability level from factors that influence the intensity of adoption of NVRI vaccine such as herd size (0.991); access to extension (0.237); income (2.340) and location (0.868) by cattle farmers. Since extension is a factor for intensity for adoption, there is a necessity for supplementary extension aid in terms of staff capacity building and mobility to improve farmer coverage staff.