CONSTRAINTS TO THE PROFITABILITY OF PIG FARMING IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA
The study determined the constraints to the profitability of pig farming in Cross River State, Nigeria.A research question and one hypotheses guided the study. The hypothesis was tested at p< 0.05 level of significance. Survey research design was used. The study was carried out in Cross River State. The population for the study was 744 participants made up of 456 and 288 registered pig farmers and agricultural extension officers respectively in the study area. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire. The instrument was validated by three (3) experts, one (1) from the Department of Agricultural Education, and two (2) from the Department of Animal Science, all from University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The data was analyzed using Mean and t-test statistical tool. The sample for the study comprised 260participants made up of 150 registered pig farmers and 110 agricultural extension agents. The sample size for the registered farmers and extension agents was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. Finding indicated that pig farming is faced with constraints such as high cost of investment, expensive housing, and disease outbreak, sourcing for pig feeds, manure disposal, air and water pollution, cultural and religious taboo, among others. It was recommended among others that pig farmers should be educated on how to identify basic constraints that may threaten their productivity such as pest and diseases and report the same to appropriate authorities for assistance.
Keywords:Pig Farming, Constraint, Profitability,
