10.57647/ijamad.2025.1502.09

Economics of Small Ruminant Husbandry and Marketing among Small-Holder Farmers in Abia State

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  • Blessing Ada Ahamefule1,
  • Paschal Nwadike*1,
  • Olochi Ubani1,
  1. Department of Agricultural Economics, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria

Received: 06-06-2024

Revised: 28-10-2024

Accepted: 07-12-2024

Published in Issue 30-06-2025

Copyright (c) 2025 Paschal Nwadike (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Ahamefule, B. A., Nwadike, P., & Ubani, O. (2025). Economics of Small Ruminant Husbandry and Marketing among Small-Holder Farmers in Abia State. International Journal of Agricultural Management and Development, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.57647/ijamad.2025.1502.09
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Abstract

This study examined the economic and marketing efficiency of small ruminant production in Isiala-Ngwa North L.G.A. of Abia State. A multistage sampling method was used to select 80 smallholder farmers across eight villages. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, farm budget models, marketing margin analysis, an regression analysis. Results showed that 50% of respondents raised goats, while 46% kept both goats and sheep, with most practicing a semi-intensive management system. The average total production cost over eight months was ₦598,224.20, with an average revenue of ₦1,257,778.00, yielding a net income of ₦659,553.60. Profitability indicators included a benefit-cost ratio of 2.10, an operating cost ratio of 0.43, and a return on investment (ROI) of 1.10. However, marketing inefficiencies were evident, as farmers retained only 44.66% of the consumer price. Major constraints included limited veterinary services, poor infrastructure, lack of credit access, and market information asymmetry. Socio-economic factors such as age, education, access to extension services, and cooperative membership significantly influenced profitability. The study recommends improving infrastructure, establishing market information systems, and promoting farmer cooperatives to strengthen the small ruminant value chain and support rural development in Abia State and similar regions.

Keywords

  • Agricultural marketing,
  • Small ruminants,
  • sheep and goats,
  • marketing efficiency,
  • Marketing margin
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References

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