The study examined the profitability and technical efficiency of pig production in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed in the selection of 80 pig farmers. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaire from the selected pig farmers. The data obtained from the farmers were analysed using descriptive statistics, cost benefit analysis and stochastic frontier production function. Findings revealed that majority (82.5 %) of the respondents were male, 40 % were within the active age of 35-46 years that can effectively withstand the rigors and stress involved in pig production, 76.25 % were married with a mean household size of 6people. The cost and return analysis showed that, in one production year, the gross margin was ₦694,592 ($3,484.44), while the rate of return on investment was ₦0.34 and the Cost Benefit Ratio (CBR) was 1.34 indicating that the enterprise is profitable since BCR is greater than 1. The result of stochastic frontier production function revealed that herd size (P < 0.05), quantity of feed (P < 0.01), capital (P < 0.01) and labour (P < 0.05) increase technical efficiency of the respondents, while inefficiency in the study area was reduced by age of the respondents (P < 0.1), educational level (P < 0.01), household size (P < 0.05), farming experience (P < 0.01) and breed of pig (P < 0.1) reared by the respondents. The mean technical efficiency was 0.86. Although the pig farmers exhibit high technical efficiency in the study area, efficiency could still be increased by 14 % through better use of available resources given current state of technology which could be achieved through farmers' specific factors like age, education and farming experience.

The aim of this study was to analyse the risk coping strategies among catfish farmers in Ikorodu division of Lagos State, Nigeria. Primary data were obtained from 100 catfish farmers with the aid of a pre-tested questionnaire and focus group discussion using multistage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics and multivariate probit regression model were employed for data analysis. Results revealed that majority (68.1%) of the respondent were male with a mean age of 41 years and a mean stock size of 1130. The major sources of risks in the study area were fluctuation in price (89.4%), cost and quality of feed (79.8%), high cost of labour (76.6%), quality of fingerling (75.6%), bird invasion (75.6%) among others. Reduced volume of stock (87.2%), treated pond before stocking (77.7%), purchased good feed quality (74.5%), and used personal savings (72.3%) were the major coping strategies adopted by the farmers in the study area. The estimate of the multivariate probit regression model revealed that sex, age, education, household size, catfish experience, start-up capital, farming status, membership of cooperative association and access to loan were the factors determining the adoption of risk coping strategies in the study area. Therefore, government, both at the federal and state level should intensify efforts at implementing the various agricultural support programs such as anchor borrowers, poverty alleviation fund and other subsidy programs that can help the farmers expand their capital base and better cope with risk in the study area.