LIVESTOCK MARKETERS’ WELFARE STATUS IN DUTSIN-MA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study assessed livestock marketers’ welfare level in Dutsin-Ma LGA. Multistage sampling technique was adopted to sample 80 livestock marketers. Structured questionnaire was employed to elicit information on marketers’ socio-economic and enterprise characteristics, levels of involvement, operation, benefit, welfare and constraint. Descriptive statistical tools were used to analyze data. Most marketers were males (97.5%), married (92.5%) with Qu’ranic educational qualification (56.3%). Respondents had mean age of 45 years and household size of 16 people. Mean annual income was N276587.50. Major sources of labour and fund were paid labour and own savings respectively. Cattle, sheep, and goat were majorly marketed with high levels of benefit and constraint. Majority had improved welfare status. In conclusion, livestock marketers had improved welfare status despite their operational and constraints levels. Government should consider collateral free loan to boost marketers’ loan access, operational scale; benefits, and sustenance of welfare status.