RESOURCE-USE EFFICIENCY OF SMALL SCALE CATTLE FATTENING IN MAKARFI LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF KADUNA STATE.

Abstract

This study assessed the resource–use efficiency of small-scale beef cattle fattening units in in Makarfi local Government area of Kaduna state Nigeria, with the aim of highlighting some crucial areas that may require policy intervention for improvement. Purposive, multistage and random sampling methods were employed in the selection of 140 beef cattle fatteners in the study area studied. Structured questionnaire and group discussion were used in sourcing for data. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and efficiency ratio(r). The results further indicated that Sokoto-gudali (75.60%) and Rahaji (19.20%) were the major cattle breeds adopted for fattening. While a total of 65.6% of fatteners fed bulls for a period of 4-7 months and in open space with shade (72.80%), while the use of combination of crop residues and conventional feeds was the most popular (69.81%) in feeding stock in the study area. The result from the efficiency ratio indicated that labour was efficiently utilized while feeds, water and medication were over utilized. The results suggest the possibility of increasing farmer’s output level through the use of lower level of feeds and more of medication under the current technology of production.