Factors Influencing the Choice of Small Ruminant Rearing among Rural Women in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Resumé

 The domestication of small ruminants by rural women is very common in the developing nations. The study examined the factors influencing the choice of rearing small ruminant animals among rural women in Ekiti State. The study investigated the socio-economic characteristics of the rural women, identified the types of small ruminants reared and effects of small ruminants rearing on household livelihood. A well-structured interview schedule was used to elicit information from 120 respondents selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a 3-points Likert scale and inferential statistics. The preferred small ruminants reared were sheep and goats. The factors influencing the choice of small ruminants rearing were payment of children school fees (x̅=2.58), performance of burial rights (x̅=2.23), hosting group or societal meetings (x̅=2.57), purchase of foodstuffs (x̅=2.50), assisting relations in settling contingencies (x̅=2.60), family events or occasions (x̅=2.41), to avert sickness from the children or family members (x̅=2.81), source of income during off season (x̅=2.43) and to avoid wastage of farm produce or excess foodstuff (x̅=2.54). Rearing of small ruminants has significant effects on the rural women’s physical assets (p<0.05), social assets (p<0.05), economic assets (p<0.05) and health (p<0.10). Thus, it indicates positive and significant effects of rearing small ruminants on the livelihood of rural women in Ekiti State.