PROFITABILITY AND RESOURCE USE EFFICIECY OF LAYERS PRODUCTION IN BAUCHI METROPOLIS OF BAUCHI STATE

Abstract

This study examined the profitability and resource use efficiency of layers production in Bauchi metropolis of Bauchi State. Sixty Farmers were selected from the study area using simple random technique. The data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, farm budgeting and multiple regression models. The results revealed that about 23% of the farmers fell between the age bracket of 35-39 years of age with a mean age of 39 years and about 39% of the sampled farmers attended tertiary institutions. Majority (50%) of them had a family size of 4-6 persons per household, about 28% of the producers had 7-9 years of farming experience and majority (50%) of them utilized family members as a source of labour. The result further revealed that farmers obtained Gross Margin, Net Farm Income and Returns per naira invested of N2838.12, N2660.66 and 0.53 respectively. The result of the regression analysis revealed that flock size, feed, cost of medication and cost of brooding significantly (p < 0.05) influence the level of layers production in the study area. The result of the study further revealed that the utilization of the inputs factors was inefficient since the ratio of MVP to MFC is more or less than unity for feeds, cost of medication and labour inputs. However, prevalence of disease outbreak, high costs of feed, among others was the major constraints to layers production in the study area. It was therefore recommended that farmers should form cooperatives groups to enable them obtain credit from government and financial institutions and improved veterinary services should also be provided. In addition, farmers need to adjust the usage of the resources appropriately.