Authors : J.C. Olojede and M.E. Njoku
Abstract: This study examined the source, type and socio-economic factors that influenced the number of some major livestock types kept by women farmer. Data were collected using a set of structured questionnaires administered on 120 women livestock farmers randomly selected from 12 villages in the study area. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as means, frequencies and percentages were used for the analysis. The ordinary square multiple regression analysis was also used to achieve the objectives addressing socio-economic factors affecting the number of livestock kept by the women farmers. Results show that the commonest source of acquiring livestock by these women farmers was through the purchase from the market (45%) while chicken (71.2%)’ goats (16.2%) and sheep (6.9%) were mainly kept for personal income, consumption, pet, manure generation social status and blood/bone meal production purposes. Income and education were found to be positively related and a significant determinant of major livestock kept and the pooled total number of animals. Marital status was significant for goat enterprise, while occupation and age were found to be significant for sheep but age was negatively related.
J.C. Olojede and M.E. Njoku , 2007. Involvement of Women in Livestock Production: A Means of Reducing Hunger and Malnutrition in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria . Agricultural Journal, 2: 231-235.