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Research Article
INTRODUCTION
The livestock sub-sector of Agricultural sector is vital to the The name pig is broadly applied to all mammals of the
national economy since it is the main supplier of the family Suidae and order Artiodactayla but specifically to
essential animal protein. The importance of livestock sub- the domestic animal known scientifically as Suss cofa from
sector is in line with recommendation of the F.A.O (2003) which domestic pig was developed. One of the major
that on an average basis, a man’s daily protein intake advantages of pigs is the ability to convert different kinds
should be between 65-72 grams and 53% (about 35 of feed including kitchen waste to meat (Rahman et al.,
grams) of this should be animal based. Animal protein is 2008). Considering general feed conversion, pig is by far
essential in human nutrition because of its biological the most efficient among farm animals in the conversion
significance. In realization of this, the various of feed energy to body energy. The high rate of
governments in Nigeria have been pursuing programmes productivity is another major advantage of pigs, ranging
at national, state and local levels to boost the mass from 9.3-9.96, live piglets per sow. CTA (1995), and Okoli
production of food and livestock. Some of the programmes (2006). Though, before weaning, an average of 1.51 will
include the Farm Settlement Scheme, Agricultural
Development Project (ADP), Better Life Programme, *Corresponding Author: Luka E. Dorh, Department of
Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), and Agricultural Economics and Extension, Kebbi State
Microcredit Scheme for Livestock, to mention few. Pig University of Science and Technology, Aliero, Nigeria.
production is an example of such community level E-mail: dorhmen@gmail.com. Tel: +234-7087815522,
livestock programmes. +234-7034264447
die, leaving the average number of piglets weaned per Emirates in Kebbi state. The Emirate comprises of four
sow to be 8.45. The sow has ability of farrowing twice a Local Government Areas (LGAs) namely; Danko-Wasagu,
year with an average of 16.9 piglets per year, this is a Fakai, Sakaba and Zuru. The Emirate is located within
remarkable advantage over other ruminants like cattle latitudes 11o and 12o N and longitudes 4o and 5o E of the
whose maximum are two young one within such period. equator (KBSG. 2003). The state was carved out from the
Other researchers such as Tewe and Adesehinwa, (1995) former Sokoto State in 1991; it covers an area of
revealed that the pig is more efficient carcass yielder than approximately 9,000 square kilometers. It is located on a
cattle, sheep or goat, dressing out at about 70% compared hilly terrain and is bounded to the north by Gummi Local
to 52.5% for cattle and about 50% for sheep and goat. In Government Area of Zamfara State, North-west by Koko
addition, pig carcass has a smaller proportion for bones Local Government Area, South-west by Yauri Local
and higher proportion of edible meat. It is relatively easy Government Area, North-east by Bukuyum Local
to establish intensive pig production in a developing Government Area of Zamfara State and south by Rijau
country like Nigeria; if capital is available and adequate Local Government Area of Niger state (Girma, 2008).
feed supplies are assured (Ogunniyi and Omoteso, 2011).
Profitable pig production will however not be achieved The estimated population of the Emirate is 582, 106 people
unless the right products are produced in the right place at (NPC, 2006). The various indigenous cultural and ethnic
the right price. It is therefore important for the intending pig groups of the Emirate are the Dakkarkari, Fakkawa,
producer to understand the economic, physical, social, Dukkawa, Kelawa, Kambarawa, Katsinawan laka and
ethnic and religious forces which operate to determine the Achifawa. Other non-indigenous ethnic groups in the area,
effective way of producing swine. All over the world, meat Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo and other tribes found in
production remains overwhelmingly the main purpose of Nigeria. Animal husbandry was practiced side by side with
keeping pigs. The pork can be utilized by the producer and crop production, even though on limited scale. The people
his family or sold as a source of income. Processed meats of the Emirate depend largely on the pastoral Fulani for
such as bacon sausage are also being produced and are meat, milk and butter. The sales and marketing of pig and
increasingly gaining recognition. By-products such as piggery products in the study area seems to be very low,
pigskin and bristle are used in manufacturing of light this could be due to discriminatory attitude towards the
leather and brushes especially in Asian countries (Young production and consumption of pigs and their products.
2005). Pig manure is a valuable fertilizer and can be
aerobically digested to produce cooking gas; it also Sampling Procedure and Sample Size
stimulates the growth of microorganisms and plants for
feeding fresh water fish and ducks (Okoli, 2006). A purposive and Snowball sampling techniques were
employed to obtain a sample size for the study, Four Local
Pigs provide a ready and regular source of cash to meet government areas were used, namely: Danko-wasagu,
the rural families’ needs, such as paying school fees, Fakai, Sakaba and Zuru. Three districts from each of the
health expenses and farm inputs, on a day-to-day basis. selected local governments based on the concentration of
It’s advantage of converting feed wastes to body energy pig farmers were purposively selected, giving a total of 12
and high birth rate. Despite these attributes and districts. A snowball sampling was employed in selecting
contributions, production of pigs in Southern kebbi State, twenty-one (21) pig farmers from each of the selected
has remained low. The study area has majority of Muslim districts, giving a total of 252 respondents.
faithful and their religion prohibits the rearing of pigs,
consumption and marketing of pig and its product. Data Collection
Though, despite these problems, there is still existence of
pig farms in the study area. One can conclude that there Primary data was collected through the use of a weigh
are reasons of their existence. Based on this assertion, band to measure the weight of the animals. A weigh band
The objective of the study is to; is a tape-like instrument of measuring weight of live
• Describe the socio-economic characteristics of pig animals particularly Cattle, Sheep, Goat and Pigs and
farmers in the study area, structured questionnaires designed in line with the
• Their production behavior, objectives of the study. Data collected was on, information
• Determine the profitability of Pig production in the study on the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents,
area and to type of breeds produced, the input–output data such as
• Determine the constraints of pig production in the study quantity and cost of various production inputs, prices of
area. output obtained.
Analytical Technique
METHODOLOGY
Study Area The analytical tools used for the study include: descriptive
statistics and Net Farm Income.
This research was carried out in Southern Kebbi State
(Zuru Emirate), Nigeria. Zuru Emirate is one of the four
Profitability and Constraints of Pig Production in Southern Kebbi State, Nigeria
J. Agric. Econ. Rural Devel. 571
Profitability
DISCUSSIONS OF THE RESULTS implication of this is that it will be difficult for them to accept
and adopt improved production technique that will
Table 2 shows the age distribution of pig farmers in the enhance their productivity.
study area. The majority of the pig farmers’ age are
between 36-45 years with 37.3% while the age of 18-35 Majority (78.2%) of the pig farmers in the study area are
constitutes 34.1% of the pig farmers in the study area, and married. While single constitute 10.7% of the pig farmers
the age of above 45 years constitute 25.8% of the pig in the study area. Widows who engaged in the pig farming
farmers, and the age below 18 constitute 2.8%. This shows constitute 9.1% of the pig farmers. But divorced women
that teenagers are less involved in pig production but the constitute only 2.0% which appeared to be the least in pig
adults who are agile are more engaged in pig production farming probably because of their small size in number.
in the study area. This could be attributed to the fact that The low involvement of widows and divorced could be, that
pig management is labour intensive and requires patience they could not afford a reasonable amount to start up the
from the farmers. pig farming looking at the cost involvement in pig
production, especially on the feeds, medication and
On gender of the respondents the result indicated men to labour.
be the highest in production of pigs in the study area with
58.7%, while the female carries 41.3% of the pig farmers. The Table 2 also indicates family size distribution of the pig
This indicates that men were more involved in pig farmers in the study area. The least family size (1-5)
production than females. The finding is in consonance with appeared to be the largest with (46.0%) in the study area;
those of Umeh et al. (2015) who stated that men who are this could be because the youths are very agile and could
relatively stronger are mostly involved in pig production easily carry out the labor needed in pig farming. While the
and also suggested that sex may increase technical family size 6-10 have the second (40.1%) and the third
efficiency as male producers who often are the head of the farmers of pig in the study area fall at 11-15 family sized
family, who are energetic to procure and administer populace, with 12.7%. But the family size of 16-20
production inputs are the majority of pig farmers in the appeared to be the least in pig farming. This reveals that
study area. Though the male is more involved in pig as the family size kept on increasing the lesser family
production, females also contributed to labour on light farm member will engage in pig farming, this is because larger
operations such as serving of feed and water, and cleaning families could exert their family problems on the pig farms
of the piggery as corroborated by Osondu et al. (2014). and as the result the production could deteriorate.
and one of the main limitations of pig production is feed Table 3 was ₦111,180 per annum, out of which ₦96,960
shortage. Feed is limited in both quantity and quality, which were variable costs and ₦14,220 were fixed costs. The
severely limits productivity (Thorne2005). average total revenue per annum was ₦300,795. The
average gross margin was ₦203,835 and the net farm
The result in figure2, indicated that 73% of the pig farmers income per annum was ₦189,615. The rate of return on
do not provide healthcare services (medication) to their investment in the study area was 1.70. This implies that
pigs while only 27% provides healthcare services to their every ₦1 invested in the pig business yielded ₦1.70K as
pigs. The implication is that, when disease outbreak of pigs profit. The benefit cost ratio (BCR) of 2.70, shows that pig
occurs many pig farmers stand the risk of losing their pigs. production is a profitable business in the study area. The
Helminthoses, diarrhoea, cough and mange were gross ratio of 0.36 implies that 36K is spent for every one
observed to be the commonest diseases in the herds naira gained in the business.
followed by mastitis and ascaris. Defang et-al (2014)
On the percentage side, cost of feeds with average amount
The result in figure 3, revealed that all the surveyed (₦46,622) had 48.0% of the total variable costs incurred,
households raised indigenous native pigs. It indicates that which is the highest among the variable costs. While cost
farmers in the study area prefer the local breeds due to of water had 32.7%, labour had 14.3%, cost of stocking
their adaptive nature to the harsh environment, which piglets had 4.7% and medication had 0.3%. On the fixed
could also resist the hardship of not providing them with costs incurred, housing cost takes the greatest percentage
good management operatives by the farmer. Above all (77.4), having average cost of ₦11,004 while, feeders had
they are easily accessed by the farmer due to their 22.6% having an average cost of ₦3,216
presence in the environment. The result conformed to
Phonepaseuth at-el. (2010), who reported that,” all Despite the costs involved, pig production is a profitable
surveyed households raised indigenous native pigs. The venture in the study area, as indicated by the profitability
mature weight was very similar and ranged from 80 to 120 ratio technique employed in the analysis.
kg and that the main reason why farmers preferred raising
local pigs is a better adaptation to local environment and Table 4, shows the result of Constraints in pig production
management condition. at Southern Kebbi State, Majority of the farmers (40.0%)
indicated high cost of commercial feeds and feed
The result from figure 4 shows that majority of pig farmers ingredients as their major problem, this could be the
in the study area constituting 68% are those who erect pig reason why some piggery farms were found underfed in
houses using local materials. The implication is that pigs the study area. This is in agreement with report of Adejoba
can easily find their way out of the house and therefore et al. (2004).
cause destruction of farm produce particularly in the rainy
seasons, because pigs are usually destructive in nature. Insufficient startup funds, this has significant effect
29% of pig farmers in the study area are those who (16.6%). Most of the farmers in the study area have no
constructed concrete houses for their pigs while 3% of the adequate capital to embark on improved or modern pig
farmers made wire fencing which is a good and production which is capital intensive as reported by
recommended house for pig keeping. Charlse (2009)
The result of figure 5 showed that, 90% pig farmers of the
study area do not ever receive any service from an Influence of religion (9.5%), this indicated that many
extension worker. The implication is that the pig farmers potential pig farmers in the study area could not embark
may not have access to new techniques that may help on the business since the religion forbids them of keeping
them in pig production. It could also be that the extension such animals. Religion has a high influence on
workers are scanty such that they cannot reach every acceptability, consumption and marketing of pig and its
farmer. It is also indicated that 10% of the farmers were products.
able to receive advices by the extension workers on
matters related to pig production. This could be the reason Low demand for Pigs and their products (7.5%), marketing
why, only 8 farmers out of 252 were able to attain between of pig and its products is not specialized when compared
0.90-0.99 efficiency levels in their production. This agrees to cattle, sheep and goats. This is primarily due to effect of
to earlier researchers, (Akeeb 1997, Agbato, 1997, Midau religion. The study area has Muslim faith that prohibits the
et al (2011) who found that about 61.90% of the pig rearing of pigs and consumption of pork. This is in line with
producers did not have access to good extension teaching the observation of Agunbiade (2001), that certain religious
on improved practices in pig production. This may result to injunction, social believes and norms have hindered
low productivity and poor returns from the small-holder pig production of pigs.
enterprises.
High cost of piglets (6.7%), some of the farmers reported
Table 3, Presented detailed information on the costs, that high cost of piglets hinders them embarking on pig
returns and profitability ratios of pig production in the study production, this could be attributed to the poverty level the
area. The average total cost of production as shown in found themselves.
Profitability and Constraints of Pig Production in Southern Kebbi State, Nigeria
J. Agric. Econ. Rural Devel. 575
Mortality (5.9%), some farmers also reported that, they Majority of the farmers (40.0%) reported cost of
had a high mortality rate especially on the piglets. This commercial feeds and feed ingredients as their major
could be attributed to Disease outbreak as identified by problem in pig production on variable costs and housing
(4.7%) of the respondents who complained of cases of cost (77.4%) on the fixed costs.
swine fever, ecto and endo parasites, which often leads to
high mortality, reduced productivity and consequently Despite the constraints and the costs involved, pig
affecting earnings from investment. Agunbiade, et al. production is economically rewarding and profitable in the
(2001) reported that tape worm is a major disease of pigs study area. Based on the value of benefit and profitability
causing a great economic loses. indicator, it can be concluded that pig production is
profitable and it is capable of creating employment,
Some farmers (4.3%) reported that the destructive augmenting income and improving the standard of living in
behavior of pigs made them not to embark on pig the study area.
production while (3.2%) of the respondents reported theft
as their major problem in pig production.
RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION Based on the findings of the study, some
recommendations have been made.
Summary 1. Efficiency in pig production in southern Kebbi State
could be increased through better use of available
The variables like gender, household size, farming resources, given the current state of technology and
experience, and management system had negative effect through policies that would encourage pig farming.
on technical inefficiency but farming experience and 2. Pig farmers are encouraged to belong to pig farmers’
management system was significant at (10%) level. The association around them so as to have access to
negative effect of these variables implies increase in relevant information about new technologies or
technical efficiency. This conformed to a priori expectation practices and the accessibility of credit facilities.
and was similar to the findings of Ajibefun and Daramola 3. Policies that would encourage in depth research by
(1999). The result indicated that the more the age and the research institutions to proffer solutions to prevalent
higher the education status, the more likely farmers are to diseases in pig production are advocated. This would
be inefficient on their production. This result conformed to reduce the risk in pig production and also increase
that of Kebede (2001), who reported a positive coefficient efficiency.
for age. 4. An effective extension service should be established to
bridge the gap between pig farmers and the research
On the percentage side, cost of feeds with average amount institutions, and also to create awareness about
(₦46,622) had 48.0% of the total variable costs incurred, improved technologies in pig production
which is the highest among the variable costs. While cost 5. The government should consider the possibility of
of water had 32.7%, labour had 14.3%, cost of stocking establishing pig breeding center, pork processing units
piglets had 4.7% and medication had 0.3%. on the fixed and creating market linkage which can motivate pig
costs incurred, housing cost takes the greatest percentage producers. It could be more promising to support
(77.4), having average cost of ₦11,004 while, feeders had innovative community-based systems and encouraging
22.6% having an average cost of ₦3216. other private-sector investment to better meet the
unsatisfied demand.
The rate of return on investment in the study area was 6. Though Pig production in the study area was profitable,
1.70. This implies that every ₦1 invested in the pig but increase in the scale of production is advocated so
business yielded ₦1.70K as profit. The benefit cost ratio that the high cost of feed will be distributed among large
(BCR) of 2.70, shows that pig production is a profitable number of pigs which will cut down the cost.
business in the study area. The gross ratio of 0.36 implies 7. As a way of minimizing cost also, the farmers in the
that 36K is spent for every one naira gained in the study area should learn how to formulate their feeds
business. and utilize local feed stuffs.
8. To the farmers whose efficiency level is very low, are
expected to seek advice from the prospective ones on
CONCLUSION how to improve and attain greater level of efficiency in
their production.
This study was conducted to measure profitability and
constraints of pig production in Southern Kebbi State,
Nigeria. The study revealed that majority of the sampled
respondents were male, married and within the
economically active age group.