Farmers Willingness to Pay for Participatory Poultry Research in Kwara State, Nigeria: Ex-ante Approach

Abstract

This study examined farmers’ willingness to pay for participatory poultry research in Kwara State, Nigeria using ex-ante approach. The study utilized primary data collected with the aid of structured questionnaire. A random sampling technique was utilized to select a total number of 102 poultry farmers from Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) Kwara State Chapter. Descriptive statistics, Contingent Valuation (CV) techniques and probit regression model were used to achieve the research objectives. The CV results showed that 64.7% of the households were willing to pay. The monthly individual aggregate WTP amount ranged from N2,000 to N6,000, and on average N 2,576 per month, generating aggregate annual values ranging from N12,000.00 to N72,000.00 and on average N30,912.00 (ceteris paribus). Probit regression model demonstrated a significant (p<0.01, p<0.05 or p<0.10) relationship between household size, educational attainment and age of the household head and WTP. The study concluded that majority of the farmers were willing to pay for participatory research. Policy makers and other relevant stakeholders should take advantage of the significant socio-economic factors influencing the decision to participate in poultry research initiatives when formulating policies. This will help improve poultry production in the country. Keywords: participatory poultry research, willingness-to-pay (WTP), probit regression