A survey of fish culture facilities used by farmers in Edo South, Nigeria

Abstract

Several fish rearing facilities have been introduced to increase chances of fish production in any location in Nigeria without corresponding information about their level of adoption and effectiveness in improving fish production. A survey of the types and production output of fish culture facilities in Edo South Agricultural zone was conducted. A total of 200 well-structured questionnaires were administered to fish farmers in the study area. Data collected were carefully analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and results were also presented using descriptive statistics in form of frequencies, percentages and charts where appropriate. Results from this study indicates that majority of the fish farmers in the study area uses concrete tanks (48%) to cultured their fish, followed by plastic tanks (11%), 8.5% uses both concrete and plastic, 6% uses both concrete and tarpaulin, 6% uses concrete, plastic, tarpaulin and wooden trough, 5.5% uses tarpaulin, 5% uses fibre glass tanks, and 4.5% uses earthen ponds. Result also indicates that output per production is highest while using earthen pond as 88.9% of user produces 1000kg and above. The problems faced by the fish famers in using these facilities were facility specific. It was concluded that concrete tanks are the most commonly used fish culture facility in Edo South Agricultural Zone, and that fish production is higher when using earthen pond.