SMALL RUMINANT PRODUCTION CHARACTERISTICS BY RURAL FARM-FAMILIES IN NAERLS-ADOPTED AND NON-ADOPTED VILLAGES IN NORTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

Small ruminant farmers in National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) adopted and Non-adopted villages in North-Western zone of Nigeria were the focus of this study. One hundred and forty respondents (35 from each of the four villages) were randomly selected from two each of NAERLS-adopted villages (NAV, Sakadadi and Tundu Iya) and Non-adopted villages (NADV, Bomo and Salanke). Primary data were collected using interview scheduled. Secondary data were also utilized for the study. Data collected on socio-economic characteristics of the respondents were analyzed using frequencies counts and percentages. Chi-squares was used to test the hypothesis which states that there is no significant relationship between the production characteristics in the NAERLS-adopted and non-adopted villages in the study area. Result showed that most of the respondents were male in the village groups (84.3% in NAV and 71.4% in NDAV). The respondents in NAV (69.9%) and NADV (78.5%) were mainly in their active age of between 20 to 50 years old and most are married (88.6% and 72.9% for NAV and NDAV, respectively). Size of small ruminant flock, type of products usually obtained and the type of market in which life animals are sold are all similar (P>0.05) in the two village groups. The labour required in small ruminant production is mostly supplied by children and women in NAV (77.14%) and 60% in NDAV. Improved practices like hay and silage making, selection for breeding, use of raised platform to prevent cold and provision of medications were used more by respondents in NAV (52.9%) than those from NDAV (22.9%). Membership of farmers’ association indicated a significant non-similar response (P<0.05) between the NAV (97.1%) and NADV (17.1%). There is a marked difference (P