Determinants of Output among Pig Farmers in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

A study of the factors that determined pig output among thirty pig farm owners randomly sampled from a list of pig farmers in Aba South Local Government Area and Umuahia North Local Government Area, derived from Abia State Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources showed that stock size (p=0.01), labour cost (p=0.05) and cost of feed (p=0.01) were the factors that determined pig output in the area. Whereas the signs of stock size and cost of feed coefficients were positive, that of labour cost was negative; indicating that increased stock size and feed intake will lead to increased production and thus more farm income to the pig farm owners while more money spent on labour would reduce the income that sale of pig and or pig products would generate for the producers. Labour saving strategies are therefore advocated for the pig farmers to enjoy the full benefits of increased output and resultant farm income as stock size increases. Technologies on sourcing feed from indigenous sources could help depress cost incurred by farmers in their pig production. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) interested in reducing poverty and hunger in developing countries could explore supporting researches tailored to accomplish such goals. Greater number of young men should also be encouraged to go into pig farming because of its fecundity and ability to generate income faster than other livestock. The enterprise has great prospects in self-employed agricultural practice.

Keywords: Determinants, Output, Pig farmers, Abia State