AGRO-INDUSTRIAL BY-PRODUCTS UTILISATION FOR SHEEP AND GOATS PRODUCTION IN OSUN STATE

Abstract

Sheep and goats enterprise has been found to sustain economic growth and alleviate poverty among the farmers but inadequate feedstuff has posed a threat to their production beyond subsistence level. Therefore, this study investigated the agro-industrial by-products used by households and farmers in Osun State. Information on socio-economic background and utilisation of agro-industrial by-products for sheep and goats production was collected from 160 respondents using interview schedule. It was observed that more of the respondents were married (57.5%), had secondary education (46.9%) and majority (85.6%) earned about ₦49,000:00 monthly. Maize stover (57.5%) and cut grass (45.6%) were often used in feeding sheep and goats in the study area. Among the agro-industrial by-products used in sheep and goats feeding were from maize, sorghum, cowpea, rice, groundnut and millet production.