Assessment on the Contribution of Homestead Rearing of Small Ruminants to the Income of Households in Ushongo Local Government Area

Abstract

A study was conducted to assess the economic contribution of homestead small ruminant rearing to small farmers/households in Benue State’s Ushongo Local Government Area. In a randomized design, 50 respondents were given well-structured questionnaires that served as the primary source of data. The emphasis was shifted to those who raised small ruminants in a free range extensive system.  According to the study’s findings, the majority of small ruminant farmers were males (76 %), mostly between the ages of 41 and 50 (46%), and were mostly married (78%). They were also Christians (60%) and engaged in homestead (82%) small ruminant rearing, with goats (58%) being the most reared small ruminant in the study area (22 %). The primary reason for raising small ruminants was to generate income (82 %), and their primary source of capital is personal savings (78%). Household farmers with 1-10 goats made a gross margin and net profit of N75,300 and N65,300 per year, respectively, while respondents with 10 sheep, 20 sheep, and 30 sheep made net profits of N84,400, N135,500, and N181,500, respectively. Respondents with a maximum of 10 sheep had a better return on investment, earning twice their total cost. This implies that homestead small ruminant rearing is profitable and can supplement other sources of income from various fields of endeavor.