Performance Evaluation of Bowen Milk Collection Centre Iwo Osun State Nigeria

Abstract

Milk collection centers (MCCs) were established to promote domestic milk production and lessen Nigeria's reliance on the importation of milk and related dairy products. Restricted numbers of MCCs in Nigeria make milk supply difficult for the dairy farmers which are not located close to them. The study evaluated the performance of Bowen MCC. Two-stage sampling technique was used to select 60 dairy farmers for the study. Questionnaire and Key Informant Interview was used to collect data from respondents and data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Result shows majority of respondents were males (85.0%), married (98.3%) with mean age of 40±7.63 years and household size of 9±1.93 persons. All (100%) respondents engaged in dairy farming (100.0%) as primary occupation with mean monthly income of N35,782.18±9,036.04 ($80.83) with mean years of experience of 31.00±7.19 years. Use of archaic production practices ( x¯ = 2.00) and unimproved genetic composition of local breeds for milk production ( x¯ = 1.90) were the major constraints encountered by dairy farmers. Bowen MCC has adequate number of staff and well equipped with functional equipment but the major challenge encountered is insufficient milk supply by dairy farmers. The study therefore recommends that farmers should be trained on different aspects of improving cattle's' productivity.