Performance of improved dairy cattle technologies among farmers in Northern Nigeria

This study evaluated the performance of different dairy cattle technologies adopted by dairy farmers in 16 States of Northern Nigeria. Purposive sampling procedure was used to select the study area due to the presence of improved dairy farms in the area. Questionnaire was used to collect data from 61 registered improved dairy farmers in the area. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, F-test and gross margin analysis. The majority of improved dairy cattle farmers were in their middle age, majority of them (60%) have university degrees, had annual income of about ₦20, 000, 000.00. It also revealed low extension contact among dairy farmers. Dairy production was highly profitable with a gross margin of ₦11, 912.54, ₦6, 383.23 and ₦2, 547.99 per dairy cow for exotic, crossbred and Bunaji cattle. In terms of return per Naira invested, net gains of N10.20 was obtained for Frisian breed, crossbred (Friesian ×Bunaji) ₦2.70 and Bunaij, was ₦1.50. It was recommended that dairy farmers should be sensitized and encouraged to adopt exotic breed or crossbreed Bunaji cattle with Frisian bulls or artificially inseminate female Bunaji cattle. The study also recommended that extension workers should endeavour to link up farmers with sources of improved dairy cattle technologies.Keywords: Performance, dairy cattle, Northern Nigeria