Economics of Broiler Production among Rural Women in Ahiazu Mbaise L.G.A of Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo state, Nigeria. This was necessitated by the need to estimate economics of broiler production, since broiler production is widely gaining prominence in recent time in the state. 200 rural women broiler farmers were selected using purposive and multi stage random sampling techniques, from which data were collected using structured questionnaire and oral interview. Percentage response and gross margin analysis were used to address the objectives. The result showed that age bracket of 42-62 constituted the majority (39%) of the broiler farmers studied, while (15%) constituted the least with a age bracket of 63-82 years. 79% of the respondents were married while 21% were single. 61% of the farmers had no extension contact while 39% had contact. 86% of the respondents were educated, while 14% had no formal of education. 39% had greater majority of farming experience, 85% of sampled farmers were landlord, while 15% were tenants, 39% of the respondents had the highest household size, and 84% were into commercial broiler production while 16% were private. The costs and return analysis showed that the gross margin for broiler production was N212,875, the total variable cost was N712,125, the total revenue generated was N925,000 ,while the benefit cost ratio was N1:1.2. Major constraints to broiler production and their percentage contributions in the study were; poor marketing price, high cost of labour, poor access to credit and disease and pest (25%). The study recommended that extension agents should be adequately motivated to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness for high production and productivity of the broiler farm. Farmers were advised to form cooperatives which would assist them in getting government grants and loans from bank without collateral. Finally, the need for farmers to be tutored broiler feed formulation in order to reduce cost of feed in broiler production are very important.