Effects of socio-economic factors on the profitability of small ruminant production among urban and peri urban livestock farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

The heightened demand for high quality protein foods resulting from increased urbanization has strategically placed small ruminant production as a profitable investment enterprise. Socio-economic variables are, however, known to have divergent influences on the profitability of agricultural enterprises. Yet, the effects of such socio-economic indices on the profitability of urban and peri-urban livestock farmers have not been adequately subjected to empirical analysis. This study examined the effects of socio-economic factors on the profitability of small ruminant production among urban and peri urban livestock farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Ninety-six urban and peri urban households engaged in rearing small ruminants (goat and sheep) sampled in two stages were selected for the research conducted during the first quarter of 2025 farming season. Structured questionnaire was administered to these respondents but data collected from 95 of them were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result showed that level of formal education, flock size, annual income, access to veterinary extension services and access to credit significantly at 1% increased the profit margins of urban and peri-urban small ruminant production enterprise by 3.66%, 3.76%, 4.16%, 3.22% and 4.14% respectively. On the other hand, 1% increase in age of the farmers negatively decreased their profit margins by 3.06%. Constraints to increased small ruminant production in the area were inadequate capital, scarcity of improved stock breeds, high cost of feeds among others. The study recommended for effective implementation of policy measures that ensure strategic expansion of small ruminant farmers’ access to credit especially through government financial institutions. Effective collaboration should be brokered between the National Animal Production Research Institute, the International Livestock Research Institute and Nigeria’s extension system to ensure that high quality breeds of small ruminants are developed and popularized among livestock farmers through efficient extension services for profitable livestock business in Nigeria.