ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF POULTRY EGG PRODUCTION IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study centred on the economic analysis of poultry egg production in Kwara State,Nigeria. The cost and returns to egg production, technical efficiency of egg producing farms and as well, the constraints to poultry egg production in the study area were analyzed. Data collected (using questionnaire), from 119 poultry farmers randomly selected from the lists obtained from Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, was analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin, rate of returns, stochastic frontier production function and likert type scale. The findings indicated that 33.6% is the modal age for the respondents which ranges between 36-45years. Male farmers were found to dominate the eggs production business with a percentage of 66.4%. The Gross Margin was N33, 368.82 per month. The Rate of Return to eggs production was estimated at 25.94%. Maximum Likelihood Estimate of the stochastic frontier model shows that variables like farm size, veterinary services and labour were positively and statistically significant at 1% level.. The mean technical efficiency was estimated at 0.43. It is therefore recommended that Nigeria government should assist poultry farmers through policies that will enhance productivity growth and increase production efficiency. In addition, extension service should be given higher priority.