Abstract
The paper analyzed the economics and social characteristics of registered poultry egg producers in Ilorin, Kwara State. Primary data was used for the study. The data was collected using structured questionnaires administered to 150 stratified sampled registered poultry egg producer. Both descriptive and gross margin analysis were employed to analyze the data. Socio-economic analyses revealed that 68.7% of the poultry egg farmers were males with a mean age of 40 years and 78% having tertiary education with a mean year of poultry experience of 7years. 76.7% were married with a mean family size of 4. Majority (53.3%) of the farmers were civil servant with a mean farm size of 334 number of birds and 50% of the farmers have been participating in cooperative society for over 6 to 10 years with majority (84.7%) having no extension contact. The gross margin calculated shows that the farms had an average margin of N3,652 per bird per year and the net average revenue of N3,024 per bird per year showing that poultry egg production is profitable. It was recommended that government should endeavour to subsidize inputs such as feed ingredients and this can be achieved through poultry farmer's participation in crop production.
Highlights
In Nigeria, the livestock sector is an important component of the agricultural economy that provides animal protein to the populace as well as employment for a considerable percentage of the population (Oyesola and Olujide, 2000)
According to Okoli et al, (2004) there is need for improvement in livestock production systems in Nigeria and it could begin with the reorientation of graduates on the need to get involved in agrolivestock business as a form of self employment
The most recent step taken by the Federal Government of Nigeria is the ban on importation of frozen chicken and turkey parts, which aims at encouraging massive livestock production locally
Summary
The study was carried out in Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara state. Ilorin city consist of three local Government areas namely: Ilorin west, Ilorin south and Ilorin east. The study area was divided into three: Ilorin south, Ilorin east and Ilorin west, chosen based on predominance of registered poultry farmers as contained in the information from poultry association of Nigeria (PAN), Kwara State chapter. These three divisions have the highest percentage share of poultry farmers in the state. The Data was obtained through a structured questionnaire and administered to the sampled farmers.
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