DETERMINANTS OF ADOPTION OF IMPROVED CATTLE FATTENING PRACTICES AMONG SMALL-SCALE FARMERS IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assessed the extent and determinants of adoption of improved cattle fattening practices among small-scale cattle farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. A three-stage sampling technique was used to select 176 cattle fatteners across the Kwara Agricultural Development Project (KWADP) zones. Primary data were obtained through personal interviews with the sampled fatteners, using a well-structured questionnaire. Likert-type scale measured adoption of ten fattening management practices, while an Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model identified the socio-economic determinants of adoption. Results showed that regular feeding (mean = 2.97) was the most widely adopted practice, followed by salt and potash supplementation (2.44), while weighing of cattle (1.25) and vaccination (1.31) were least adopted. No respondent recorded a low overall adoption level; the majority (58.0%) recorded a moderate level and 42.0% a high level, with percentage weighted scores ranging from 37% to 100%. The OLS model explained 67% of the variation in adoption level (R² = 0.67). Years of fattening experience, range size and household size were positively and significantly associated with adoption at 1% level (p < 0.01), whereas cost of feeding and herd size were negatively and significantly associated with it at 5% level (p < 0.05). Non-farm income was positive and significant at the 10% level (p < 0.10). The study concludes that years of fattening, range size, household size, cost of feeding and herd size are the determinants of adoption of improved cattle fattening practices in the study area. It recommends targeted extension training on weighing, vaccination and disease control, together with support for building farming experience and non-farm income diversification, to raise adoption.