Assessment of Effect of Biosecurity Level on Profit Efficiency in Poultry Egg Production in Southwestern, Nigeria

Abstract

The problem of diseases outbreak led to the decline in poultry production over the years. This study was conducted among 343 poultry egg farmers in Southwestern, Nigeria. Primary data was utilized with the use of questionnaire to assess the level of biosecurity practices among poultry egg farmers in the study area. Descriptive statistics, farm budgeting techniques and stochastic frontier production function model were used to analyze the data. The findings of the study revealed that majority (74.3%) of the poultry egg farmers were male with an average age 42 ± 8.9 years. More than half (57.8%) of the farmers were educated above secondary education. More than half (63.6%) of the farmers had between 5-10 years of layers rearing experience with the mean years of experience being 9.0 ± 5.4 years. Majority (70.9%) of the farmers had access to livestock extension services. Majority (68.5%) of the poultry egg farmers operated at low level of biosecurity. Stock size, access to extension services, livestock insurance and biosecurity practices significantly increase the profit efficiency of the poultry farmers. This study recommends regular training for poultry farmers on improved biosecurity practices in order to increase profit efficiency.

Key words: Poultry; egg; profit; efficiency; Nigeria