The Human Capital Input and Some Challenges of the Nigerian Cattle Industry

Abstract

This study was to gather first-hand information on the human capital input of the Nigerian cattle industry. A questionnaire was administered to 26 cattle farms across Nigeria of which we received a response from each farm. Most of the farm surveyed were owned solely by individuals 18(69.23%) and the male gender 24(92.31%). There were more farmers 25-50 years 22(84.62%) than those >50 years 4(15.38%). The majority of the farmers had tertiary education 18(69.24%), while 13(50.00%) and 11(42.31%) farmers had >10 years and 5 – 10 years of experience in cattle farming, respectively. Ten (38.46%) farmers each considered cattle farming out of interest and as their profession. Poor funding 13 (50.00%) was the major challenge to cattle farming. The predominant cattle breeds were indigenous mix 18(75.00%) and improved crossbreed 7(20.78%). Semi-intensive 15(57.69%) was the most common management system, however, the main farm sizes were small 13(50.00%) and medium-sized 12(46.15%), while boreholes 15(57.7%) and streams/well-water/rivers 11(42.3%) were the major sources of water. Majority of the cattle farms sometimes 15(57.7%) experience food shortage but never 14(53.80%) water shortage. Nearby veterinary services were present in 22(84.62% farms but absent in 4(15.38%). The study shows that funding is a challenge to cattle farming in Nigeria. This is evident in the small-sized farms, semi-intensive management practices and the occasional shortage of food.