Resource-use Efficiency in Small Scale Broiler Production in Owerri Municipal Council of Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study analyzed the resource use efficiency in small scale broiler production in Owerri Municipal Council of Imo State. Data were collected with well structured questionnaire from 40 randomly selected broiler farmers. The questionnaire were analyzed with the appropriate statistical and econometric tools. The result showed that the small scale broiler producers were profitable in the study area. Feed cost was very high consisting of 39.37% of the total cost and 44.63% of the variable cost of production. Farm size, labour, feed cost, medication are all important factors affecting the net revenue of the farmers in the study area. The net revenue of the broiler farmers was estimated at N140,989.56 per farmer per year implying that small scale broiler production is profitable. The farmers were inefficient in the use of resources such as land, labour, capital, feed, medication and other inputs. The benefit cost ratio was estimated at 2.22, implying that for every one naira invested in small scale broiler production in the study area, 11 kobo was gained thus profitable. The major constraints to small scale broiler production are lack of credit and the incidence of pest and diseases. Agricultural policies and programmes should focus on improving the farmers’ access to credit and appropriate technology the farmers’ access to credit and appropriate technology should be developed to reduce losses through the incidence of pest and diseases.