Challenges Confronting Cattle Farmers in Selected Farms in Ogun and Oyo States, Nigeria

Abstract

Challenges confronting commercial cattle farms have caused the decrease in the productivity of cattle enterprises in Ogun and Oyo  States, Nigeria. This study was carried out to investigate the challenges confronting cattle farmers in selected farms in Ogun and Oyo  States. A semi-structured questionnaire was produced for 120 farmers which were equally distributed between the two states to gather  relevant information that addressed the specific objectives of the study. The results showed that the farms in both States were  characterized and grouped based on herd size, types of operation and years of operation. The herd size of 51-100 had the highest  frequency (47; 39.2%) and 101-150 had the least frequency (12; 10%). Mixed farms had the highest frequency in types of operation (68,  56.7%) while dairy farms had the least (3, 2.5%). The years of operation greater than 10 years had the highest (53, 44%) while 1-5 years  had the least. The farmers challenges include inadequate grazing area, disease, ectoparasitic infestation and non-availability of breeding stock among others. The levels of exposure to risk were based on the types of operation, years of operation, the state where the farm  exist and herd size. The highest levels of frequency were used to determine the level of risk. In conclusion, commercial cattle farmers in  Ogun and Oyo states are confronted with numerous challenges which range from inadequate grazing land, ectoparasites and diseases  attack to lack of breeding stock. It is recommended that the Government of Nigeria should increase funding support to cattle farmers  across the states for training on intensive management system, bio-security, water resources management, research and extension  activities in the cattle production sector.