ASSESSMENT OF ECONOMIC IMPACT OF PORCINE REPRODUCTIVE AND RESPIRATORY SYNDROME VIRUS ON PORK PRODUCTION IN DELTA SOUTH SENATORIAL, DISTRICT, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed the economic impact of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus on pork production in Delta South Senatorial, District. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 83 pork producers for the study. Questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The findings of the study showed that most of the pork producers in the study area were males, 57.0% were married; 47.3% of the pork producers had 6-20 years of pork production experience and majority of pork producers had relatively high level of education. The results also revealed that porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus has negative economic impact (P<0.05) on pork production in Delta South Senatorial District. It was found out that there is no significant (P>0.05) difference between the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents on the economic impact of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus on pork production in Delta South Senatorial District. From the findings of this study, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus is associated with illness which causes reduction in growth rates and mortalities in all ages of pigs which leads to economic losses. It can therefore be recommended among others that the three tiers of government should organize public enlightenment programme to create awareness on measures to control porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus against pork production.