ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF PRIVATE VETERINARY PRACTICE IN NORTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Using data collected from professional and para-professional veterinarians and from a veterinary prod- ucts price survey, the paper examined the economic feasibility of private veterinary practice in north- western Nigeria. The results showed that there were 53,315 veterinary livestock units (VLUs) per vet- erinarian and 15,328 VLUs per paraveterinarian. These ratios suggest an under-supply of veterinary personnel in the area since they both exceed the recommended ratios of 20,000 VLUs per veterinarian and 1,000-3,000 VLUs per paraveterinarian. The results of the break-e en analysis revealed that pri- vate practice was potentially feasible since the available livestock units and densities exceed those re- quired to break even. It was also found that economic feasibility could further be enhanced if a private provider uses (at least in the first few years) a motorcycle, instead of a four wheel-drive vehicle. It is suggested, however, that privatization of veterinary services should begin on a pilot scale and that private providers should be given absolute right of practice over specific areas. But to preserve service quality and prevent pv.ssible exploitation of providers, a provider selection and regulation procedure in which livestock owners (or their representatives), the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association and the Veterinary Council of Nigeria would play active roles, is advocated