THE ECONOMICS OF GOAT PRODUCTION IN SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FUTURE

Abstract

The West African Dwarf  goat is to Southeastern Nigeria and is raised by many families under small-scale and intensive management systems. Results showed that the average households kept 6 goats, but that expansion was limited by labour and feed procurement problems. Both males females owned goats but males dominated goat marketing. Women have recently become goat meat retailer. Although the prospects for large-scale goat production appeared bleak, those for women producers integrating vertically forward into marketing appeared favourable.