CONTRIBUTIONS OF SMALL RUMINANT PRODUCTION TO FARMERS’ LIVELIHOOD IN DERIVED SAVANNAH AREA OF OYO STATE

Abstract

The impact of small ruminant husbandry to farmers’ livelihood is of concern to Government’s policy formulation. This study investigated the contribution of small ruminant production to farmers’ livelihood in derived savannah area of Oyo State, Nigeria. Small ruminant farmers were purposively selected with the assistance of extension agents using a three tier multi stage sampling technique in which 225 respondents were selected. Parameters measured include livelihood enterprises, % income on household livelihood, record of sales, 5% mortality rate and seasonality. Qualitative and quantitative data collected were transcribed into Microsoft Excel the Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST) Excel macro program. The average household livestock holdings were 20.08±2.16 (sheep), 32.00±3.26 (goats) while average weight of the animals (kg) were 20.00±4.27 (sheep), 15.00±3.89 (Goat). The dominant breed for sheep and goat was West African Dwarf breed. The ranking and % income of the livelihood enterprises were primary (60), secondary (20) and tertiary (10) for Agriculture, Livestock and remittance, respectively. The average household goats sold over the past 3 years were 15.00±1.36 (male) and 10.00 ±1.45 (female) with average weight (Kg) range 15.56±2.78 to 20.67±3.34. The average household sheep sold over the last 3 years were 25.00±3.87 (male) and 30.00±4.28 (female) with average weight (Kg) ranged 25.78±5.27 to 30.89±6.47. The seasonal average sales (N) ranged 4,000 to 7,000 and 6,000 to 13,000 for goat and sheep, respectively. Agriculture, the main stay of the heterogeneous population in derived savannah area, with small ruminant contribution to the individual household income and livelihood cannot be undermined.