Economic Analysis of Poultry Production Among Small-Scale Farmers in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria

Poultry production is a rapidly growing sub-sector of Nigerian agriculture, providing protein, employment, and income for millions of small-scale farming households. In Kwara State, smallholder poultry enterprises operate under significant constraints including high feed costs, disease risks, and limited market linkages. This study conducted an economic analysis of small-scale poultry production in selected communities in Kwara State. A sample of 95 poultry farmers from three local government areas was selected using purposive and random sampling. Structured questionnaires collected data on production inputs, flock sizes, mortality rates, revenue, and marketing costs. Farm budgeting, gross margin analysis, and the benefit-cost ratio were the analytical tools applied. Findings indicated an average gross margin of N142,000 per 100 birds per cycle, with feed costs constituting approximately 72 percent of total variable expenses. The benefit-cost ratio of 1.33 confirmed economic viability under prevailing market conditions. Newcastle disease and infectious bursal disease were the leading causes of flock losses, reducing profitability for approximately 44 percent of farmers surveyed. The study recommends strengthening veterinary service delivery at the community level and supporting the formation of poultry producer associations for collective input procurement. Feed cost reduction strategies, including local feed ingredient promotion, should be integrated into extension advisory services. Keywords: poultry production, economic analysis, gross margin, Kwara State, smallholder farmers.