In order to examine the role of small-holder livestock production in reducing rural poverty among small-scale farmers in Delta State, Nigeria, structured questionnaire were administered randomly to 264 small-scale farmers in 24 communities in six local government areas of the State, using multistage sampling technique. Data collected include socio-economic characteristics of households, flock size, livestock income, annual income of households, index of food insecurity, improved nutrition, ownership of residential accommodation, educational level, as well as gender of household head. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The results showed that annual income, household size and gender of household head are statistically significant determinants of the value of flock size in small-holder livestock production. Average annual household income from livestock keeping was N12,447.47 and this constituted 42.6% of the mean annual income of N31,262.95. The study also found that income from small-holder livestock operation have a positive and statistically significant (p< 0.001) effect on improved nutrition, household food security, and consequently, rural poverty reduction.

small-holder livestock production; rural poverty alleviation; livestock income; food security

Published by University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, CROATIA
Sponsored by Ministry Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia