EFFECT OF INSECURITY ON LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN NORTH CENTRAL, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study analyzed the effect of insecurity on livestock production in North Central. The area of study included Benue, Kwara, and Niger States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory. The study employed a sample size of 3285 drawn through a multi-stage sampling technique. Both descriptive and inferential statistics (Binary logistic regression and Binomial statistics) were used to analyze the data. Results showed that the average length of residence, age, household size, and farming experience were 12 years, 35 years, 5 persons, and 8 years, respectively. The total number of livestock was 141,610, with poultry making up the largest portion at 40,415. The livestock comprised adult and non-adult males and females. The farmers indicated that their farm output was rated as average and acknowledged that insecurity has adversely affected them as farmers, significantly lowering their production levels. Before the onset of insecurity and insurgency, the majority of farmers (52.30%) reported an annual increase of 10–14 livestock. However, this trend has shifted, with most farmers (60.06%) now experiencing a reduced annual increase of only 5–9 livestock. The study found that sex, age, education, household size, farming experience, and farmer income significantly affect livestock production outcomes. It is recommended that the government should enhance livestock production by providing farmers with better inputs, encouraging more farmers to enter the business, and thus increasing livestock production for the populace.