EVALUATION OF SMALL RUMINANT FARMING FOR POVERTY REDUCTION AMONG RURAL WOMEN IN KANO STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined small ruminants’ production for poverty reduction among rural women in Kano state, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 387 respondents, and data were collected using semi structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using frequency count, percentage, gross margin, coping strategy index and multiple regression analysis. The results revealed that rearing of small ruminants was profitable but goat was more profitable than sheep. About half of the respondents (49%) were classified as poor. The respondents outlined that revenue obtained from the rearing small ruminants assisted them to settle many socioeconomic obligations including weeding and naming obligations, settling festivities right and helping their relative among other things. The coping strategies adopted by the respondents includes; reducing expenditure on non-food items, selling animals or other household assets and borrowing from friends and relatives. Regression analysis result revealed that years of experience, educational level, cost of feeding the animals and cost of medication influence revenue small ruminants. To improve productivity and growth, emphasis should be put on mass media campaign to create awareness to women producers of small ruminants on the need to access functional education and training that could improve their business.