Determinants of output of small scale fish farmers in Ikorodu, Nigeria

Abstract

Aquaculture has been identified as the major mean of balancing the huge import deficit resulting from the need to meet national fish protein consumption requirements and reducing pressure on already over fished captured environment. The growth in Nigeria aquaculture is however far less than the expected potential. Therefore, to properly understand the factor impinging on the aquaculture growth dynamics in Nigeria various factors influencing aquaculture outputs need to be well studied. This paper, investigated the determinants of output of small-scale fish farmers in Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State. Ikorodu Local Government was purposively selected because of the presence of fish farming estate hosting 250 fish farmers which serves as the sampling frame. From the 250 fish farmers, 101 fish farms where randomly selected using structured questionnaire and scheduled interviews. Data obtained from the respondents include socioeconomic characteristics, type and quantity of fish stocked, quantity harvested and sold, cost of production, profit realized among others. The data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis, Gini Coefficient and production function analysis. Majority of the fish farmers are male (65.3%), married (54.5%) and have tertiary education (69.3%). The mean age, household size, pond size, years of farming experience are 36.44±10.28 years, 4.03±1.98, 39.78±0.98ha and 2.67±2.13years, respectively. There is wide variation as measured by Gini Coefficient in the output of fish farmers with about 88.5% disparity in their output. Mean profit made per fish sold in the study area is N186.24*. Factors that positively determine the output of fish farmers are quantity of feed used (p-value 0.001), number of fingerlings stocked (p-value 0.005), years of experience in fish farming (p-value 0.001) and volume of credit obtained (p-value 0.001) Fish farming, in the study area is a profitable business with varying degree of output. In order to improve the output of fish farmers, government and relevant stakeholders in the aquaculture sub-sector should ensure that fish farmers do not only have access to credit facilities but in required amount. In addition, feed is an important determinant of output of fish production, therefore fish feed of high quality should be made available and affordable to fish farmers.