ANALYSIS OF THE SOCIOECONOMIC BENEFITS OF LIVESTOCK REARING AMONG WOMEN IN GOMBE METROPOLIS, GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study analyzed the socio-economic benefits of livestock rearing among women in Gombe Metropolis, Nigeria. The objectives identified the types of livestock kept by women farmers in the metropolis, it also analyzed the uses of income generated from livestock rearing by women as well as challenges women faced in livestock rearing in the study area. The study focused on primary data collected from women engaged in rearing livestock in 22 selected settlements. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in analyzing the data. The results of this study revealed that 78% of the women farmers were young and active, have large household sizes and were literate to varying degrees. The predominant animals raised were poultry (), goats () and Sheep (). Replenishment of stock (), educational needs of the farmers (), health of animals () and health of family members () accounted for the main areas’ income derived from livestock farming were expended. According to the Problem Confrontation Index (PCI) calculated, the main challenge facing women livestock farmers in the study area were health of animals and family members (PCI, 252). The results of the chi-square analysis indicated that gender, marital status, education, income, household size and occupation were significantly associated with women’s involvement in livestock activities. The study concluded that low-income level of the greater proportion of respondents could be a threat to the sustainability of livestock farming in the study area. Hence, Government and Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) should link women with micro finance banks in other to have access to capital which can be used to improve their participation and expand enterprises for greater income and sustainability.