Paul A . Atteh - Profile on Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Paul A . Atteh

International Journal of Research Publications

The term “Fan” was first time coined by Haast in his work about Canterbury Plains on 1864. He con... more The term “Fan” was first time coined by Haast in his work about Canterbury Plains on 1864. He consider that these plains were fan shaped developed by the depositional work from the Pleistocene Glaciers. After a century (1964) Carryer put out the concept that the Alluvial fans are formed in the foothill zone produced by the depositional work by river or water. “Alluvial fans and Cones due accumulation of materials are always famed at the base of foothills where there is abrupt drop (decrease) in the channel gradient.” (Savindar Singh). “An alluvial fan is a body of sediment whose surface form approximates to the segments of a cone which radiates down slope from a point on a mountain front, usally where a stream emerges.” (Michael A Summerfie

This study evaluated economic impact analysis of VCDP on net farm income (NFI) of rice farmers in... more This study evaluated economic impact analysis of VCDP on net farm income (NFI) of rice farmers in Niger State, Nigeria. Primary data were used. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a total sample size of 292 rice farmers which comprised of 155 value chain development program beneficiaries and 137 non-beneficiaries. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, multiple regression analysis, difference-indifference method (DD), propensity score matching (PSM), principal component analysis, F-Chow test, and t-test. The gross margin ratio for VCDP beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries was 88% and 71%. Rice production was profitable. The result of the difference-indifference regression analysis showed that treatment (P< 0.10), period (P< 0.01), interaction (P< 0.10), level of educational (P< 0.10), and farm experience (P< 0.10), were statistically significant variables influencing the net farm income of rice farmers in the study area. The results of PSM show that the coefficient of Average Treatment Effect for all matching algorithms for net farm income of rice farmers such as nearest neighbor, radius, kernel, and stratification were significant at (P< 0.01). The F-Chow test conducted for difference between NFI of participant and non-participant of VCDP was statistical significant. This shows that VCDP impacted positively on NFI of rice farmers. The study recommends that low-interest loans should be made available to rice farmers to increase income.

This study evaluated economic efficiency and profitability analysis of catfish (Clarias gariepinu... more This study evaluated economic efficiency and profitability analysis of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) production in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The sampling design employed for this research was a multi-stage sampling technique. A total sample size of 140 catfish farmers was selected. Primary sources of data were used and the data were obtained by administering a well-designed and well-structured questionnaire to the respondent. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, farm budgeting technique, gross margin analysis, financial analysis, stochastic production frontier efficiency model, Tobit dichotomous regression model, and principal component model. The results show that about 70% of the catfish farmers are male, and the average age of catfish farmers was 39 years. The kinds of fish pond used include concrete, earthen, tarpaulin, cage, and plastics, the capacity of fish pond was 1706 fingerlings. The gross margin and net farm income was 886,250,51 Naira and 865, 021.37 Naira per production cycle respectively. This implies that catfish production is profitable. The mean economic, technical and allocative efficiencies are 36.97%, 61.89% and 59.73% respectively. This left inefficiency gaps of 63.03%, 38.11% and 40.27% for improvement. The significant factors influencing economic efficiency of catfish production include age, farming experience, educational level, fish feed, drugs, fingerlings, and pond size. The constraints facing catfish farmers include lack of credit facilities, high cost of fingerlings, high cost of feeds, problem of pests, diseases, and predators, lack of access to markets, and lack of access to land. The study recommended that credit facilities should be provided for catfish farmers at low interest rate devoid of cumbersome administrative procedures. The fish feeds, fingerlings, drugs, and chemical inputs should be provided for catfish farmers at affordable prices.

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of fuel subsidy removal on the livelihood of house... more The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of fuel subsidy removal on the livelihood of households in Bwari Area Council, FCT-Abuja, Nigeria. A sample of 80 respondents from eight communities was selected using multi-stage and random sampling techniques. Descriptive statistics, multiple regression, and Garrett ranking were employed for data analysis. Findings revealed that most (60%) of the respondents were household heads and they were found between the age bracket of 30-39 years (42.5%) with mean age of 39. Majority (68.75%) were married with 48.75% household size ranging from 4-6 persons. The dominant source of livelihood was civil/public service (35.0%), with 67.5% having attended tertiary education. The majority (70.0%) were not part of any cooperative association. The respondents strongly agreed (52.5%) that fuel subsidy removal adversely affected their businesses, making it challenging to pay children`s school fees. High cost of transportation (76.3%), health care services delivery (71.3%), and cost of food items (76.3%) were all affected by the policy. The regression analysis showed that age, monthly income and primary livelihood were significant at 1% level while household size was significant at 10%. The coefficient of determination (R 2) indicates that 64% is the effect of the variables on households` income (dependent variable) on fuel subsidy removal by government explained by the independent variables. Garrett ranking highlighted high cost of food items ranked first as the primary concern (MGS, 73.2), high cost of transportation ranked second (MGS, 67.0) and social unrest ranked third (MGS, 49.1). This study recommended that the government should implement price control and enhanced distribution channels to curb inflation, make credit facilities more accessible to all farmers to embark on both irrigation and rain fed to curb food security, public transport should also be provided to ease the impact of the fuel subsidy removal, social welfare, job creation and skill acquisition programs are needed to alleviate poverty, social unrest and reduction of insecurity, government should improve salaries and wages of public/civil servants, and improve health care services delivery.

This study investigated the preference for compensational palliatives for the removed fuel subsid... more This study investigated the preference for compensational palliatives for the removed fuel subsidy in Nigeria using Kogi State as a case study. The objectives of the study include determination of the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, examination of preference for compensational palliatives between genders and among the populace, determination of the preferred channels of palliative distribution, and test of hypotheses at 5% levels of significance at the appropriate degrees of freedom. The study used a multi-stage random sampling technique for selection of the 600 (out of which 560 was valid) respondents for eliciting primary data from the three local government councils with the aid of a structured questionnaire. The analytical techniques employed to analyze the data include percentile analysis, charts, and chi-square statistics. The findings of the study include the following: that majority of the respondents are adults and literate, have an average household size of seven, and belong to cooperatives; there were differences between and among the palliative preferences; most both men and women preferred food stuff subsidy first among the alternative compensational subsidies, which pointed to the situation of food security in the country following the fuel subsidy removal; and that there are differences between and among the channels of distributing the palliatives. It was therefore recommended that the views of both males and females should be sought in adopting alternative palliatives to replace the removed fuel subsidy, government at all levels should not impose any alternative palliatives on the citizens without seeking their opinions, governments should find out from the people the preferred channels for distributing palliatives, and alternative subsidies should be given a legal framework as social welfare packages for the citizens.

This study evaluated the economic efficiency of rice production among the small-scale women farme... more This study evaluated the economic efficiency of rice production among the small-scale women farmers in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 100 small-scale women rice farmers. The primary data were collected with the aid of a well-designed and well-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, farm budgeting technique, financial analysis, the Stochastic production frontier efficiency model, and the Tobit dichotomous regression model. The results show that 88% of women rice farmers were below 50 years old. The mean age was 44 years. Averagely, they were small-scale farmers with 1.31 hectares of farm land. The labor input in man-days constituted the highest percentage of about 50.8% of the total costs of activities involved in rice production. The net farm income and gross margin ratio was estimated at 416,800 Naira and 0.63 respectively. This shows that the rice production by women farmers was profitable and worthwhile. The mean allocative, economic, technical efficiency scores were 50.3%, 50.8%, and 51.20% leaving the efficiency gaps of 49.7%, 49.2%, and 48.8% for improvement respectively. The significant factors influencing the economic efficiency of the rice production among women farmers include the following:-farm size, labor input, household size, seed input, fertilizer input, chemical input, farm experience, and access to credit. The major constraints encountered by women rice farmers include the following: inadequate credit facilities (1 st), high cost of labor (2 nd), high cost of fertilizers (3 rd) and high cost of herbicides (4 th). The study recommends that farm inputs such as improved seeds, fertilizer input, chemical input and herbicides should be made available to women farmers at affordable prices. Credit facilities devoid of rigorous administrative procedures at low interest rate should be made available to women farmers

This study evaluated factors influencing the allocative efficiency of the small-scale tomato (Lyc... more This study evaluated factors influencing the allocative efficiency of the small-scale tomato (Lycopersicum species) production in Kaduna State, Nigeria: implications for food security and resource management. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 120 small-scale tomato farmers. The data from primary sources was collected with the help of a well-structured and welldesigned questionnaire. This data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result indicates that the mean age of the small-scale tomato resource farmers is 46 years old; the mean household size of the respondents is 7 persons, while the mean resource farm size is 1.17 ha. The minimum and the maximum allocative efficiency scores of the tomato farmers are 0.30 and 0.93 respectively. The results of the profitability analysis indicate that the tomato production is profitable with a gross margin and a net farm income of N550, 960 per ha and N497, 190 respectively. The gross margin and operating ratios are 0.69 and 0.28 respectively. The resource inputs and socioeconomic factors influencing the allocative efficiency of tomato production are the following: age, farm size, household size, gender, marital status, level of education, access to extension services, and membership in a cooperative organization. The study recommends that farmers should be provided with the following resource inputs: improved seeds, chemicals, fertilizer inputs, credit facilities and extension services in order to reduce resource wastages, increase efficiency and productivity.

This paper investigated challenges and Prospects of diversifying Nigerian economy through revital... more This paper investigated challenges and Prospects of diversifying Nigerian economy through revitalization of agriculture and provision of fringe benefits that can motivate farmers to make greater contributions to the Gross National Product (GDP). Random sampling techniques were used to collect data from 90 respondents in six urban centres in Kogi and Nasarawa States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Descriptive statistics, for example, Likert Scale, percentage, pie and bar chart, were used to analyse the data. The results show that agriculture faces challenges such as lack of credit facilities and poor post-harvest structures, poor public perception, inability to mechanize all farm operations, and insecurity, but it also has prospects and potentials (for example, promising agricultural policies, ongoing researches, access to arable land, and available human resources) to contribute more to GDP. It was also discovered that some schemes such asinternships for agricultural graduates, special salary packages for agriculturists, health insurance and retirement schemes for farmers, and farmers' representation at the policy formulation level can motivate farmers, especially smallholders, to make more contributions to the GDP. The study concluded that although agriculture faces challenges, it is still a source of diversification of the Nigerian economy, as confirmed by 40% of the respondents; it is a major alternative among other sectors because of its potential. It is recommended that Public perception of the farmers could be improved by making farming less drudgery, lucrative, and attractive by providing farmers with credit facilities, low-cost machinery to mechanize all farm operations, provision of post-harvest infrastructures, provision of irrigation facilities; motivating farmers through retirement schemes, health insurance schemes, special salaries for agriculturists, agricultural graduate internships, and ensuring that farmers are represented at policy formulation level and probably by changing the nomenclature, 'agriculture' to terms such as, 'food sector' or 'green business' or 'agribusiness' to encourage the youth. Insecurity and corruption should be fought with dedication and definite actions, and failed policy implementers should be sanctioned, while access to production and market information should be enhanced and made cheap. All these would encourage youth to take up farming as a profession and thus help to diversify the economy.

This study was carried out to determine the effect of strain on internal and external egg quality... more This study was carried out to determine the effect of strain on internal and external egg quality characteristics of three strains of local turkey. A total of Sixty-six (66) adult breeding local turkeys of three phenotypic classes (Black, White and Lavender) were used as a parent population for the mating. Each strain had 18 hens mated to 3 toms. The three strains Black, White and Lavender were used to generate 113, 104 and 182 eggs, respectively collected over a period of 10 weeks.

This study examined the determinants of technical efficiency and economies of scale in sorghum (S... more This study examined the determinants of technical efficiency and economies of scale in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) production, Kaduna State. The result shows that sorghum production was profitable in the study area. The calculated gross margin and net farm income of sorghum production per hectares were 811, 211.27 Naira (853.90 USD) and 728, 947.93 Naira (767.31 USD) respectively. The significant factors influencing technical efficiency of sorghum production include farm size, hired labour, fertilizer input, and seed input. In the technical inefficiency component, the significant socioeconomic factors increasing technical efficiency of sorghum production include age, household size, farming experience, educational level, access to credit facilities, farmers' internet usage, media interest and usage. The sorghum farmers' relations with public institutions are not statistically significant in influencing technical efficiency of sorghum production. The return to scale was estimated at 0.8299, this signifies the decreasing return to scale. The average technical efficiency score was 0.6047 leaving a gap of 0.3953 for improvement. The major constraints facing sorghum farmers include lack of credit (1st), high cost of inputs (2nd), and bad road infrastructures (3rd). The policy recommendations include provision of credit facilities to sorghum farmers at low interest rate devoid of cumbersome administrative procedures. The provision of fertilizers, improved seeds, and chemicals to sorghum farmers at affordable prices for increase productivity and efficiency.

This study evaluated the efficiency and the technological gap ratios (TGRs) of the agroforestry p... more This study evaluated the efficiency and the technological gap ratios (TGRs) of the agroforestry production in the rural areas of Kaduna State, Nigeria and discussed the implication for environmental resource management. A multi-stage sampling technique was used. A total number of 120 respondents comprising of 62 (51.67%) male agroforestry farmers and 58 (48.33%) female agroforestry farmers were selected. The primary data were collected based on a well-structured and a well-designed questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the following tools: descriptive statistics, the stochastic production efficiency frontier model, the stochastic meta-efficiency frontier model, and the principal component model. Farm size, labor input, chemical input, fertilizer input, and agroforestry tree density positively contribute to the output of male and female agroforestry farmers as well as pooled data respectively. The average agroforestry farmers achieve 83.1% (male), 64.7% (female) and 72.8% (pooled) of their frontier output given their present technologies. In other words, agroforestry farms lose 16.9%, 35.3% and 27.2% of their maximum potentials output to inefficiencies. The mean technical efficiency relative to the meta-frontier was estimated to be 74%, 47% and 59% for the male and female agroforestry farmers and the pooled data respectively. Based on the estimated technological gap ratios (TGRs) of 90%, 73% and 82% for the male and female agroforestry farmers and the pooled data respectively, the average male and female agroforestry farmers and the pooled data could be more technically efficient by increasing their output and closing the gaps of 10%, 27% and 18% respectively. The study recommended that farmers should be educated about the benefits of the agroforestry production technologies.

This study evaluated the economic efficiency and profitability analysis of catfish (Clarias garie... more This study evaluated the economic efficiency and profitability analysis of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) production in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The sampling design employed for this research was a multi-stage sampling technique. A total sample size of 140 catfish farmers was selected. Primary sources of data were used and the data were obtained by administering a well-designed and wellstructured questionnaire to the respondent. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, farm budgeting technique, gross margin analysis, financial analysis, stochastic production frontier efficiency model, Tobit dichotomous regression model, and principal component model. The results show that about 70% of the catfish farmers are male, and the average age of catfish farmers was 39 years. The types of fish ponds used include concrete, earthen, tarpaulin, cage, and plastic. The average capacity of fish ponds was 1706 fingerlings. The gross margin and net farm income was 886,250.51 Naira and 865,021.37 Naira per production cycle respectively. This implies that catfish production is profitable. The mean economic, technical and allocative efficiencies are 36.97%, 61.89% and 59.73% respectively. This left inefficiency gaps of 63.03%, 38.11% and 40.27% for improvement. The significant factors influencing the economic efficiency of catfish production include age, farming experience, educational level, fish feed, drugs, fingerlings, and pond size. The constraints facing catfish farmers include the lack of credit facilities, the high cost of fingerlings, the high cost of feeds, problems with pests, diseases, and predators, the lack of access to markets, and the lack of access to land. The study recommended that credit facilities should be provided for catfish farmers at a low interest rate devoid of cumbersome administrative procedures. The fish feeds, fingerlings, drugs, and chemical inputs should be provided for catfish farmers at affordable prices.

This research examines the development, implementation, and future prospects of central bank digi... more This research examines the development, implementation, and future prospects of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), focusing on Nigeria's e-Naira. The rise of digital currencies and blockchain technology has provided new payment options worldwide. CBDCs are increasingly seen as faster and cheaper alternatives for transactions, with potential benefits for payment settlements, financial inclusion, and monetary policy effectiveness. The e-Naira was introduced to complement Nigeria's physical currency, representing a significant initiative by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). As of March 2024, more than 130 countries were actively researching CBDCs, with three countries, territories, or currency unions having already launched CBDCs and 36 conducting pilot programs globally. This study delves into blockchain technology as a precursor to cryptocurrencies, analyzes recent trends in monetary policy, explores global factors driving CBDC emergence, and examines the e-Naira's future trajectory. It also discusses key policy considerations and proposes strategies to promote e-Naira adoption. By synthesizing these aspects, the research offers a comprehensive view of CBDCs within Nigeria's financial landscape, highlighting challenges and opportunities in digital currency adoption.

This study presents an econometric analysis of factors influencing the export performance of soyb... more This study presents an econometric analysis of factors influencing the export performance of soybean (Glycine max) production in Nigeria using an auto-regressive distributive lag (ARDL) approach. The study used a secondary data covering the period from 2011 to 2022. The used data were collected from CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria), NBS (National Bureau of Statistics), FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), and the General Household Survey-Panel (GHS-P) in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the World Bank publication. The data analysis included descriptive statistics, Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root test, Bound test, ARDL, and principal component model. The result of the ADF unit root test showed that the trade openness, consumer price index, exchange rate, population growth, world trade in oil seeds, agricultural labor, and soybean production were stationary at first difference I (1), while agricultural machinery was stationary at level I (0). The results of ARDL method showed that the consumer price index, population growth rate, world trade in oil seeds, agricultural labor, and agricultural machinery were significant factors influencing export performance of soybean in Nigeria. The trade openness and exchange rate were not different significantly from zero. The trade openness could not expand market access due to non-competitiveness of the Nigerian's soybean. The exchange rate has lost its role with respect to soybean seed partners in international trade. The policies that would encourage exportation of this crop should be pursued by provision of storage facilities, granting of tax holidays, long term export credit at concessionary interest rate to exporters, and research activities towards improving the quality of produced agricultural products.

This paper examined rice consumption by the households in the post fuel subsidy removal (PFSR) in... more This paper examined rice consumption by the households in the post fuel subsidy removal (PFSR) in Abuja Municipal Area Council, FCT, Nigeria. The objectives of the study include an analysis of factors that influence rice consumption in the PFSR, patterns or characteristics of rice consumption, a correlation between the quantity of rice consumed and some socioeconomic variables. A multi-stage random sampling technique was employed to select 180 respondents. Structured questionnaires were used to elicit data from the respondents. The data was analysed using inferential and descriptive statistics. The results showed that the majority of the household heads are married, educated, have a household size of 5-7 persons, and with an income level above N200,000.00. The quantity of rice consumed per meal is lower during PFRS than during PrFSR, with a mean of 3.5 kg. The number of days in between rice consumption during meals (mean of 5.2 days) and the percentage of income expended on rice consumption (increased from 5 to 14%) is higher in PFRS than pre-fuel subsidy removal (PrFRS). The household's habit, average age of household members, household size, and income level influence the quantity of rice consumed by the households during PFSR; but it is only the average age of household members and household size that were significant at the 10% alpha level. However, 60% of the variation in the quantity of rice consumption in PFSR was explained by all the variables considered in the model. The hypothesis test confirmed the difference between the quantities of rice consumed during PrFSR and PFSR. Based on these findings, this study recommends that the government should eradicate or reduce to a minimum all the factors that negatively affect the availability, accessibility and affordability of rice; rice with its ingredients (palliative) should be purchased and distributed to meet the demand of the people; the average age of the household members should be considered when formulating policies on food supply and food security; the people should be encouraged to modify their habits on rice consumption; and the government should consider giving out rice as palliative more frequently.

The experiment was carried out to determine the heterotic effect of some Morphometric characteris... more The experiment was carried out to determine the heterotic effect of some Morphometric characteristics of Crossbred of Muturu and White Fulani Cattle reared in Nasarawa State using artificial insemination (AI) procedures. This experiment was carried out during the period of dry season and moderate rainy season (October to May) between 2022 and 2024. Fifty-five (55) matured Muturu cows were crossbred via artificial insemination process using pooled semen from ten (10) White Fulani bulls. Forty-eight crossbred calves were produced (30 females and 18 males). Data on body weight and different morphometric traits were taken from the calves at 12 months old and analysed using SPSS version 20 window. The results showed that all the traits were significantly (P<0.05) different between the crossbred and the parents indicating direct and positive heterosis over and above the parents. The results of direct and positive heterosis for the crossbred bulls had values for CG (12.86%), HW (5.22%), BL (49.56%), EL (12.60%), HL (16.89%), NL (9.09%), FL (5.72%), BW (15.29%) and WW (7.18%) at 12 months old. Similarly, positive and direct heterosis of the crossbred heifers was recorded alsoat 12 months old with values for CG (9.28), HW (9.82%), BL (9.48%), EL (57.78%), HL (14.05%), NL (27.84%), FL (14.65%), BW (30.44%) and WW (8.25%). Heterosis was also observed in both the crossbred bull and heifer calves. It was concluded that crossbred calves grew faster than their inbred parents and improvement in morphometric traits was a result of crossbreeding effects.

This paper investigated the role of organic agriculture (OA) in improving food security of small-... more This paper investigated the role of organic agriculture (OA) in improving food security of small-scale farmers in Nigeria. The study was conducted at Achoze and Ogunda Farm Settlements in Kogi State, Nigeria. Cochran Formula and a random sampling technique were employed to determine the sample size and selection of 242 respondents respectively. Close ended and structured questionnaires were used to collect the primary data from the respondents. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, pie-chart and Likert Scale were used to analyse the data. The result shows that majority of the farmers are males, old, poorly educated, but well experienced with small farm size and poor extension contact. The result also indicates that 58% of the farmers are unaware of OA and 66.1% are food unsecure. The result equally reveals that OA has some attributes, for example, high productivity, high income, sustainable production and reduction in pests and diseases incidence which makes it a viable alternative method for food production for improving food security. But conscious efforts such as training of extension agents and provisioning of extension logistics, conducting conferences and creating conducive policy environment should be made to promote it. It was concluded that the farmers are small scale farmers who lack extension information but they are food unsecured. OA has attributes to improve food security but the small-scale farmers are unaware of the technique, however, they could be helped through various promotion exercises to adopt the method. The study recommended that young and educated farmers should be encouraged and trained to take up OA, extension contact to be improved and logistics provided, awareness should be created among the farmers through various media and attributes of OA should be exploited by adopting the technique to improve food security of small holder farmers and Nigeria at large.

The study focused on the impacts of the Soil, water resources conservation and management on 120 ... more The study focused on the impacts of the Soil, water resources conservation and management on 120 farmers as it affects their renewed hope for food security and job creation in a selected area council in Abuja namely; Bwari Area council, F.C.T, Abuja, Nigeria. Questionnaire was administered to 30 farmers each at Igu, Gaba, Garam, and Kuchiko-Bwari farming communities, who were selected at random. Qualitative research methodology was adopted, and data were also collected from primary and secondary sources through document reviews and inferences were drawn from them. Multiple regression results revealed that the significant factors affecting sustainable strategies for renewed hope on food security include; bush burning (p<0.01), deforestation (p<0.05), overgrazing (p<0.01 and insecurity (p<0.01). Similarly, rainfall (p<0.01) and application of chemical fertilizer (p<0.01) were statistically significant but negatively related to farmers' food security. The study also reveals that soil and water management resources management was very poor at Gaba and Garam this impacted negatively on their food security, 87% of the farmers were affected in the two farming communities, and 75% of farmers' job creation were equally affected, while at Igu and Kuchiko-Bwari 21% and 15% of the farmers were affected. This paper thus recommends an increase in mitigation against anything that can endanger soil, water resources conservation and management among the affected farming communities, to strengthen their natural ecosystem that will improve the stability of their natural environment, also the soil and water management to ensure enough sustainable food security.

This study assessed poultry feed sources, socioeconomic factors and constraints facing poultry fa... more This study assessed poultry feed sources, socioeconomic factors and constraints facing poultry farmers in Benue State, Nigeria utilizing primary data and analysed using descriptive statistics. Majority (85.56%) of the farmers were male with mean household sizes, age and mean annual income of five (5), 48yrs and N410,077=00 respectively. Among those that had formal education, primary 39% and secondary 31% had greater percentage. Larger (40%) percentage of the respondents engaged in farming as their primary occupation, while the second largest population (32%) of the respondents took civil service occupation as an alternative means of income. Most (78.89%) poultry farmers obtained their poultry feeds from feed mill companies, wholesalers (27.78%), self-miller s(60.00%), directly from farmers (64.44%) and open market (60.00%). The study concluded that poultry farmers often acquired their poultry feeds from multiple sources. The major constraints faced were associated with feed mill companies unwholesome practices. These include; feeds bought from millers were often lesser than acclaimed quantity and quality, feeds were not always in right proportion in terms of guarantee analysis, feeds were most times contaminated with impurities, high cost of feeds and diseases outbreak. It was recommended that individuals and corporate entrepreneurs should be encouraged to establish feed mills in the state in order to make this all important poultry input safe, available and affordable.

International Journal of Research Publications