Influence of small ruminant production to well-being of rural households in southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Production of small ruminants is of great concern among developing countries like Nigeria, therefore this study examined the effects of small ruminant production on rural household well-being in Southwestern, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 210 respondents. Data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The outcomes of the study indicated that the majority of the respondents had an average age of 56±14 years. More than half (57.6%) were female as majority (72.9%) were married. Majority (54.3%) had formal education, and most (65.7%) were Christians. The average household size was 5±2 persons, and 89.5% of the respondents were involved in farming and commerce. The mean income of the farmers was N62,000±60,000 . A percentage of 52.4% had a better-off material wellbeing, better-off economic wellbeing (56.7%), worse-off social wellbeing (60.0%) and better-off subjective well-being (64.3%). A significant relationship (p<0.05) existed between sex (χ2=11.091, p=0.001), educational status (χ2=89.792, p=0.013), religion (χ2=17.025, p=0.003), primary occupation (χ2=104.967, p=0.000), age (r=-0.309, p=0.000), household size (r=-0.267, p=0.027), benefits derived (r=0.788, p=0.007) and well-being status. A significant difference (F=66.553, p=0.029) exists in the well-being status of respondents across selected states. The study therefore concluded that half of the respondents had a better-off (50.5%) wellbeing status from small ruminant production in the study area. It is recommended that small ruminant production among rural households should be encouraged using a more improved and modern production technology system.