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† Corresponding author 
© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

 

ECONOMICS OF SHEEP PRODUCTION IN ZURU LOCAL GOVERNMENT 

AREA OF KEBBI STATE NIGERIA 

 

Baba M.D.1† --- J.S. Dabai2 --- A.M. Sakaba3 --- I.D. Sanchi4 

1,4Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Kebbi State College of Agriculture Zuru, Nigeria 

2Department of Agricultural Technology, Kebbi State College of Agriculture Zuru, Nigeria 

3Department of Animal Health and Production, Kebbi State College of Agriculture zuru, Nigeria 

 

ABSTRACT 

This study was carried out to investigate the profitability of sheep production in Zuru local government 

area of Kebbi State. It examined the costs and returns of sheep production as well as problems encountered 

in sheep production in the study area. Data were collected from a total of 100 respondents using simple 

random sampling technique in 2014. Descriptive statistics and farm budgeting technique were used in the 

analysis of data. The costs and returns analysis indicated that, variable cost constituted 69.83% of the total 

cost of sheep production in the study area, while the fixed cost constituted 30.17%.  However, the average 

total cost of production was N307, 491.57, the average total revenue was N376, 312.00, gross margin was 

N161, 572.43 and the net income was N88, 820.43 indicating that sheep production was profitable. 

Despite the profitability of sheep production, sheep farmers identified feed problem (92%) as their major 

problem. It is therefore, concluded that sheep production in the study area was profitable. With this level of 

profitability in sheep enterprise, it is recommended that this finding be disseminated to all practicing and 

potential sheep farmers in the study area and other communities. It is also recommended that more farmers 

in the study area and elsewhere should go into sheep production because of its profitability. There should 

also be practical application of new knowledge to sheep under traditional husbandry system in the study 

area. 

Keywords: Economics, Sheep, Production, Profitability, Zuru, Kebbi state. 

 

Contribution/ Originality  

This study contributes in the existing literature on sheep production and livestock 

economics. Sheep production as an approach to economic growth could be relevant in improving 

the quality of life of farmers. Information on the economics of sheep production is necessary in 

view of the emerging food crisis in Nigeria. 

Current Research in Agricultural Sciences 
2015 Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 31-35 
ISSN(e): 2312-6418 
ISSN(p): 2313-3716 
DOI: 10.18488/journal.68/2015.2.1/.68.1.31.35 
© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

 
 
 
 
 

http://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.18488/journal.68/2015.2.1/.68.1.31.35


Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2015, 2(1): 31-35 

 

 
32 

© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Sheep were among the first domesticated animals and their role in ancestral agro-ecosystem 

was critical for the development and advancement of human civilization. As ruminant, they serve 

a multitude of function from food to fertilizer that is essential to human life in both rich and poor 

countries [1]. Sheep are widely distributed in the semi-arid region of the tropics as compared to 

humid and semi humid region and have great importance as major source of livelihood of the 

small farmer and the landless in rural communities. In tropical Africa however, research have 

shown that productivity of sheep is low and there is an ample opportunity for improvement in the 

livelihood of the farmer. About 1/3 of the sheep population found in Nigeria are often used during 

festivals and preferred especially in the northern part of the country. This signify that rural 

people enjoy more income through sales of their stock and other by-products derived from sheep 

e.g. skin, blood meal, organic manure etc. [2]. 

Owolabi [3] reported that high percentages between (75% to 90%) of traditional households 

keep sheep and or goat for various purposes such as meat production, income from sales and 

security against crop failure among other reasons. From the foregoing, it is important to study 

economics of sheep production in Zuru local government area (LGA), Kebbi State in order to 

assess the type of management system, determine the profit associated with the enterprise and 

problems of sheep production in the study area. The findings of the study will be useful in policy 

formulation towards achieving increased sheep production in the country. Therefore, this study 

was designed to determine the resources, costs and returns and problems affecting sheep 

production in Zuru Local government Area of Kebbi State. 

 

2. METHODOLOGY 

The study was carried out in Zuru Local Government Area (LGA) of kebbi State. The Area is 

located within latitude 11o 35’ and 11o 55’N and longitude 4o 45’ and 5o 25’E of the equator 

approximately [4]. Zuru LGA is geographically located in the south-eastern part of the state. 

The estimated population of the LGA is 165,547 people [5]. The weather is marked by a single 

rainy season and long dry season, the average rainfall is 1025mm/annum, the rainy season is 

between May to October, the rainy season last for four – five months. The climatic condition of 

the area is characterized by hot and wet season as in the tropics; the month of November to 

January is the hamattan period. The soil type is sandy loam and rich, which makes it suitable for 

agriculture [4]. 

Simple random sampling method was employed to select respondents. 100 sheep farmers 

were selected. The main instrument for data collection was structured questionnaire. Data were 

collected on socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, system of management, problems 

of sheep production, prices of input and output. Analysis of the data was done using descriptive 

statistics and farm budgeting technique. Simple descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and 

percentages were used. The budgeting technique employed was the net farm income. The 



Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2015, 2(1): 31-35 

 

 
33 

© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

difference between the gross revenue (GR) and total cost (TC) gives the net revenue (NR), net 

farm income (NFI) is expressed as: 

NFI = GR – TC……………………………. eq (1) 

Where 

NFI = Net Farm Income 

GR = Gross Return 

TC = Total Cost (N) 

TC = (TVC + TFC)  

TFC = Total Fixed Cost (N) 

TVC = Total Variable Cost (N) 

 

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

3.1. Socio-Economic Characteristics of Respondents 

The result indicated that about 58.3% of the sampled farmers are female, while the remaining 

41% are males. This indicates that women contribute greatly to the agricultural sector of the 

economy. The average age of the respondents and years of farming experience are 35 and 15 

years respectively. About 37.5% of the sampled farmers had primary education. This finding has 

therefore reflected the importance of education in agricultural production activities. The more an 

individual is exposed to any form of education, the more likely he will have a better 

understanding of his environment. The average household size was ten, while most farmers 

(55.8%) had a flock of between 5 – 10 sheep’s and most farmers (48.3%) obtain their stock through 

purchase. Therefore, the finding of this study agrees with the assertion of Aganga and Fasanya 

[6] reported   that livestock for agricultural production are mostly obtained through purchase. 

The result also indicated that, about 65% of the respondents employed family labour in managing 

their enterprise. However, the results further revealed that majority of the farmers (66.7%) are 

using the extensive system of management. This is in line with findings of Jirgi and Tanko [7] 

find out that under the extensive system of management, animals are kept either in huts or in 

open shade, this exposes the animals to unfavourable conditions which lead to disease infection, 

hence low productivity.  

 

3.2. Costs and Returns 

The profitability of any business can be deduced from the relationship between the cost 

incurred in running the farm business and the returns accruing to it Adegeye and Dittoh [8]. 

The costs and returns associated with sheep production in the study area are presented in Table 

1. The result of the farm budgeting analysis revealed that the variable cost constituted 69.83% of 

the total cost of production of sheep enterprise. Fixed capital accounted for 30.17%. The result 

further revealed that a typical farmer realized a net farm income of N88, 820.43 per production 

cycle and the average production cycle is five months. The result showed that sheep farmers 

realized profits; however, profit can be enhanced if they improve on the management practices. 



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34 

© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

Table-1. Average Costs and Returns of Sheep Production/Production Cycle 

Items 
Average Value 

(N) Percentage 

Variable Costs     
Labour    86,193.00 28.03 
Medication  12,250.00 3.98 
Feeds  97,360.17 31.66 
Foundation Stock                                 18,936.40 6.16 

Total Variable Cost (TVC) 214,739.57   
Fixed Costs     
Fixed cost                                            92,752.00 30.17 
Total Fixed Cost (TFC)  92,752.00   
Total Cost (TC)                                    307,491.57   

Revenue     
Total Revenue (TR)                              396,312.00   
Net Farm Income (NFI)=ATR-ATC 88,820.43   

                       Source: Field Survey Data and Computation by the Researcher, (2014). 

 

3.3. Problems of Sheep Production 

The problems encountered in sheep production in the study area were feed problem, 

management problem and disease problem as indicated by as many as 92%, 54% and 53% of the 

respondents, respectively. Further to this, there is labour input problem to a small extent (36%). 

With respect to marketing, 22% of the farmers indicated that, they faced problem of lack of 

organized livestock marketing system which resulted in the farmers selling their sheep’s to 

middlemen which consequently hamper the profitability of the enterprise. 

 

Table-2. Problems Encountered in Sheep Production 

Problem  Frequency  Percentage 

Feed Problem                                     92 92 
Management Problem                        54 54 

Disease Problem                                53 53 
Labour Input Problem                       36 36 
Lack of Organised Market                 22 22 

                                  Source: Field Survey Data and Computation by the Researcher, (2014). 

 

4. CONCLUSION   

The study examined the economic analysis of sheep production in Zuru Local Government 

Area of Kebbi State. The study revealed that feed cost, medical cost, labour cost, other inputs and 

fixed cost are the major variables which significantly explain changes in income of sheep farmers. 

It is however; found that sheep production in the study area was highly profitable. Nevertheless, 

majority of the sheep farmers were faced with problems of management, market, feeds and capital. 

 

 

 



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© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

5. RECOMMENDATIONS 

With this high level of profitability in sheep production, it is recommended that this finding 

be disseminated to all practicing and potential farmers in these and other communities. It is also 

recommended that more farmers in the study area and elsewhere should go into sheep production 

because of its profitability. There should also be practical application of new knowledge to sheep 

under traditional husbandry system in the study area. 

 

REFERENCES 

[1] R. M. Getemby, Tropical agriculturalist on sheep production, Revised ed. London: Published by the 

Land and Life Series, 2002. 

[2] A. A. Ademosu, The livestock sub-sector in the national development plan: Nigerian production plan. 

Lagos: Mcmillan Press, 1996. 

[3] O. O. Owolabi, "Economics of rabbit production," Paper Presented at the Conference of Rabbit 

Breeders Association of Nigeria Held at Obafemi Awolowo University Moor Plantation, Ibadan, 

March 17-18, 1988. 

[4] Kebbi State Government (KBSG), Kebbi state government official diary. Nigeria: Directorate of 

Information, Kebbi, 2008. 

[5] National Population Commission (NPC), National census figure: Federal republic of Nigeria. Abuja: 

Mcmillan Press, 2006. 

[6] A. A. Aganga and B. O. Fasanya, "Economic significance of edible offal’s of range fed sokoto red 

goat," Paper Presented at the Small Ruminant Conference, Zaria Hotel, 10th-12th April, 1985. 

[7] A. J. Jirgi and L. Tanko, "Economics of small scale goat production in bida local government area, 

Niger State," J. of Agric. Res. and Pol., vol. 3, pp. 62-66, 2008. 

[8] T. A. Adegeye and J. S. Dittoh, Essentials of agricultural economics. Ibadan: Impact Publishers 

Nigeria. Limited, 1985. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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