PROBLEM AND PROSPECTS OF PIG FARMING IN OVIA NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN EDO STATE

PROBLEM AND PROSPECTS OF PIG FARMING IN OVIA NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate problem and prospect of pig farming in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State four research questions formulated and analyzed. The respondents were made up of pig farmers Ovia North East Local Government Area. All the respondents were randomly selected from the three main markets in Ovia North East Local Government Area and seven. One set of the instrument was used in collecting data for the study i.e. questionnaires. Data for the study were collected from forty (40) pig farmers using snow-ball sampling technique. The data collected were analyzed using a combination of descriptive, budgetary and regression analysis. Regression analysis was used to measure the relationship between revenue and the independent variables (age, sex, years of experience, labour, etc). It was discovered that number of pig, variable cost, religion, conform with apriori expectation and are statistically significant with revenue while feed stuff type used, age of pig farmers, years spent in school and family size were not significantly related to revenue.  A benefit-cost ratio of 1.16 shows that pig farming is a viable and profitable enterprise in the study area. 

 

PROBLEM AND PROSPECTS OF PIG FARMING IN OVIA NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN EDO STATE

 

CHAPTER ONE

• INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background

The pig is one of the oldest domesticated animals. Majority of the breeds we now know are descended from the Eurasian Wild Boar (Sus scrofa). Archaeological evidence from the Middle East indicates domestication of the pig occurs as early as 9,000 years ago while most livestock where utilized initially by nomadic peoples, swine are more indicative of a settled farming community. Pigs have become vital to the economy in parts of the world. (Ayivor, and Hellins, 2002).

Piggery is another aspect of farming in Nigeria that is making smart investors huge money on daily basis. If you are into this pig farming, you sure wouldn’t lack money again for the rest of your life. The reason is that Pig meat is in high demand in Nigeria and sells very fast in the market. Another reason is that Pig reproduces in large number and grows very fast. A single pig gives birth to as much as 15 piglets at a time, making it one of the most reproducing mammals in the world. Baby pigs are known as shoat, farrow or piglet. Male pigs are referred to as the boar while females are sows. As a group, they are called a herd or drove. Despite the huge profitability of Piggery, many Nigerian are still overlooking this goldmine because of ignorance of how it works. While some don’t just get the fact that it is a big business –  many who engage in it do it as a part-time business but if you can engage in this business fully, you are sure going to smile to the bank very soon.

A fully grown Pig goes for as high as N30, 000 depending on the weight. Now Imagine for a year you are able to rear hundred to maturity, you will be making  N3 Million from the sales. If you can take it higher – let’s say like 2,000 pigs in the year, you will be talking about N60 Million here! Considering how fast pigs reproduce, it wouldn’t be a very much big deal to come up with 100 pigs in a year. (Ayivor, and Hellins, 2002)

Livestock systems occupy about 30 percent of the planet’s ice-free terrestrial surface area and are a significant global asset with a value of at least $1.4 trillion. The livestock sector is increasingly organized in long market chains that employ at least 1.3 billion people globally and directly support the livelihoods of 600 million poor smallholder farmers in the developing world (. Keeping livestock is an important risk reduction strategy for vulnerable communities, and livestock is important providers of nutrients and traction for growing crops in smallholder systems. Livestock products contribute 17 percent to kilocalorie consumption and 33 percent to protein consumption globally, but there are large differences between rich and poor countries

Livestock systems have both positive and negative effects on the natural resource base, public health, social equity and economic growth (). Currently, livestock is one of the fastest growing agricultural subsectors in developing countries. Its share of agricultural GDP is already 33 percent and is quickly increasing. This growth is driven by the rapidly increasing demand for livestock products, this demand is driven by population growth, urbanization and increasing incomes in developing countries.

The global livestock sector is characterized by a dichotomy between developing and developed countries. Total meat production in the developing world tripled between 1980 and 2002, from 45 to 134 million tons (Much of this growth was concentrated in countries that experienced rapid economic growth, particularly in East Asia and revolved around poultry and pigs. In developed countries, on the other hand, production and consumption of livestock products are now growing only slowly or stagnating, although at high levels. Even so, livestock production and merchandising in industrialized countries account for 53 percent of agricultural GDP  This combination of growing demand in the developing world and stagnant demand in industrialized countries represents a major opportunity for livestock keepers in developing countries, where most demand is met by local production, and this is likely to continue well into the foreseeable future. At the same time, the expansion of agricultural production needs to take place in a way that allows the less well-off to benefit from increased demand and that moderates its impact on the environment.

The modern pig has played and continued to play a major role in providing food for human consumption due in parts to its tremendous versatility and adaptability to a wide range of environmental conditions. Donham,(2000). This ability to adapt plays a significant role in how pigs are raised and grown in various countries of the world. Hedegepath,(2008).

Pig production is widely scattered across the globe. The estimated global pig inventory of over 801 million in 2002 was a slight increase over the global pig inventory estimate of over 782 million in (2006). The countries of Asia have the largest inventory of pig in the world, accounting for over 62% of the total global inventory in 2002. The countries of European Union account for nearly 15% of the global inventory followed by North America with approximately 10%. pig is produced primarily in regions of the world with available natural resource including arable land, cereal grains, and water. Hedegepath, (2008).

With an ever-increasing human population in Nigeria and virtually static agriculture productivity, the animal protein consumption among Nigerians has worsened in the past few years (Okpor, 2009). Many Nigerians feed on carbohydrate. This is because the average man cannot afford the cost of animal protein which is richer in amino acid. The deficiency of animal protein in the diet of so many people is often attributed to the low number of livestock (cattle, pigs, poultry, goats, sheep and their products), and the activities connected with their products which are not efficient (Morrison, 2001). Ugwu (2006) observed that animal protein apart from its palatability is essential for normal physical and mental development of man. He stated that its deficiency in the diet exerts adverse effects in terms of reduced human productivity due to abnormal development. Equally, he noted that animal protein-energy deficiency causes a high incidence of infant mortality, pronounced malnutrition, and disease.

Livestock production in Edo State has a great potential for commercial production of snail and shrimp in the coastline as well poultry and pig. Morison (2001). The Huge market exists for livestock and animal product. The semi savannah climate in the Northern part of the state specifically areas like Auchi, Igarra, and Ubiaja are suitable for livestock such as sheep, goat, and cattle. The present livestock population in the state is estimated at poultry, 6000,000, Cattle 78,000, Goat 556,000, Sheep278,000, Pigs 189,000 while, cane rats (grass cutter) and snail rearing are in commercial production. However this Huge opportunities existing in this line of business is virtually left untapped in the area ( Ugwu. 2006.)

1.2     Problem Statement

The prolificacy of pigs has made many regardless of their level of literacy attracted to pig production as it result quick returns if properly managed. It serves as an alternative source of income to farmer as it requires little financial cost on housing, feeding for a small holder farmer. A commercial unit requires dedicated staff, high feed cost and a well constructed unit.

Exotic breeding stock are not readily available while pig are frequently referenced in culture and religion, thereby making it necessary to analyse how pig farming could be encouraged in the study area and other places where the animal can survive.

Most farmers in the rural area practice subsistence farming with low productivity. These may be attributed to high inefficiencies (technical and allocative) because farmers lack access or less information on efficiency and low literacy levels limiting interpretation of such information may be attributed to the few studies carried out in these. In order to realise increased production and efficiency, small – scale farmers in developing countries need to efficiently utilize the limited resources accessed for improved dietary needs and farm income generation.

There are no known studies that have been done to determine the economic estimate of pig production in Ovia North East Local Government AreaArea of Edo State. Thus, this study was carried out to establish the economic importance, yield and methods to improve production of pig in the area.

The following are research questions which the study proposes to find answers to:

1. What are the socio-economic characteristics of the pig farmer?
2. What information is available on production practice and experiences of respondents?
3. What is the cost and returns to pig production?
4. What are the constraints facing the pig producers?

 

1.3     Objectives of the Study

1.3.1  Main objective                                       

The overall objective of this study is to problem and prospects of pig production in Ovia North East Local Government AreaArea of Edo State.

1.3.2  Specific objective

The specific objectives are to:

1. examine the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents (pig farmer);
2. appraise the management structure of the pig farmers;
3. cost and returns of pig enterprise and;
4. identify the constraints facing the pig producers.

1.4     Hypothesis of the Study

Ho:    There is no significant relationship between the socio-economic characteristics of respondents and total output of pig farmers in the area.

1.5     Significance of the Study

Pig has been known to have a greater return for adopters. Ajala (2007) also noted pig is a potential protein deficit gap-filler. By-product such as pig skin and bristle are used in the manufacture of light leather and brushes especially. This study sought to provide information on the economics of production for stakeholders (pig farmers).

PROBLEM AND PROSPECTS OF PIG FARMING IN OVIA NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN EDO STATE

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