ABSTRACT

 This study was performed on Economics of pig production in Aba North L.G.A of Abia State. The specific objective induces: to examine the socio-economic characteristics of pig farmers in the study area, to examine the system of pig management, to examine factors affecting pig production, to examine the efficiency of resource use in production. five autonomous communities were purposively selected and 25 copies of questionnaire were used to gather information from these communities. Data were generated on soclo-economic characteristics, system of pig management, problems of pig production and production efficiency. Descriptive statistics and econometric tools were used in the analysis of data. The result from the findings showed that 80% of the farmers were male while 20% female, showing that pig production may be a different task for women. A total of 64% of the farmers fall in the age range of 30 — 49. Ninety two percent of the farmers were married, 8% single showing that married individuals take the business more seriously. All the pig farmers were Christians. Few farmer were educated up to tertiary level, 84% were either educated up to primary level or secondary level. This is the reason why there was absence of record keeping among the farmers. Besides pig production, other farmers engage themselves in other businesses. The data collected showed that the farmers who only engage in pig business and other occupation were 36%. Most of the farmers were experienced in the business with 76% having experience of 10 — 30% years. The system of pig management were purely intensive. The main problems faced by the farmers include lack of capital (88%) feed shortage (80%), diseases (96%) high mortality (100%), lack of extension services (96%), lack of loan from financial institution (84%). The regression analysis showed that the variables that significantly affected pig production were Age of farmers, Size of Stock, Cost of medication capital. For successful improvement in the level of pig production, it was recommended that farmers should form co-operatives, seek for extension programmes, and government should provide subsidies and veterinary clinic for the farmers.