ABSTRACT

The study investigated the economic constraints on production of small ruminant animals in Mbaitolu Local Government Area of Imo state using a total of 80 small ruminant farmers that were selected by the simple random technique. Collection of major qualitative/socioeconomic and quantitative variables of interest of this study was done using well-structured questionnaire, which involved personal interviews with selected small ruminant farmers. The socio-economic variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The OLS multiple regression technique was used to analyze resource productivity of small ruminant production in the study area. Resource use efficiency was analyzed using the ratio of MVP to MFC. The Cobb-Douglas production function was chosen as the lead equation. The F — ratio was statistically significant at 1% which shows that the independent variables best explain the dependent variable. The R2was also strong (0. 923). Only cost of capital inputs, cost of labour, cost of medication and stocking density were found to be statistically significant factors affecting small ruminant production at 1% and 10% levels respectively. Findings also show that 55% of farmers were above 40 years old, indicating that small ruminant production is an adult business, 55% were females. 57% were married, 97. 5% of the farmers had formal education, 95% were part-time small ruminant rears and 77. 5% of the farmers had income greater than N 5, 000. The efficiency table showed that all the resources used were over utilized; that is the MVP/MFC is less than one. The major constraints revealed in the study include; disease incidences, inadequate drugs and medications, unavailability of extension agents, long distance to source of feed, low quality of feed, poor prices and mortality. It is recommended that good information on improved management practices, adequate veterinary services and improved level of education should be provided.