Economic Recovery of Backyard Rabbitry for Self - Sufficiency in Oyo-State

Abstract

Nigerians are finding it difficult to adequately feed and provide basic necessities of life to their families. This is in spite of the country's numerous and diverse natural resources. For rural Nigerians to be provided with much needed animal protein, efforts have to be doubled towards producing meat at a reasonably affordable price and at the shortest possible time. The study investigated how backyard rabbitry can bring about economic recovery and self-sufficiency in Oyo State, Nigeria. Two hundred and twenty farmers were randomly drawn from thirty-two villages in the study area. Structured questionnaires were used to collect information from the respondents. Statistical analysis was accomplished by means of frequency distribution, means, percentages, budgetary analysis, profitability ratio and multiple regression technique.The results of the analysis showed that average total cost per head of rabbit was N190.33 and the average total revenue per head of rabbit was N465.62. This gives a gross margin of N357.20 and net return of N275.29 per head rabbit. The multiple regression results showed that there is a significant relationship between total revenue and the educational level, farm size, labour and cost of feed. The study further revealed that the sum total of elasticities of variables was less than unity (0.977) which indicates that rabbit production in the study area fell in the rational stage of production (stage II). It is concluded that the backyard rabbitry can be used as a source of protein and cash income thereby enabling the farmers to attain both nutritional self-sufficiency and economic recovery.