Socio-economic analysis of catfish (<i>Clarias gariepinus</i>) production in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study which was conducted in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, examined the socio-economic characteristics of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) production in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select three (3) Local Government Areas (Yenagoa, Ogbia and Kolokuma-Opokuma) purposively based on their predominance in commercial catfish farming and randomly five (5) communities each from the three (3) LGAs. Furthermore eight (8) catfish farmers in each community were randomly selected making a total number of one hundred and twenty (120) catfish farmers and analyzed using descriptive statistics and budgetary technique. The costs and returns analysis indicated that the Total Fixed Cost was ₦881,500.00 while Total Variable Cost was ₦3,956,025.01 with Net Farm Income of ₦3,113,183.32 during production period of six months. Return on investment was ₦0.64 which implies profitability of catfish production in the study area. The study also identified high cost of feed (18.6%), inadequate finance (13.2%), inadequate seed supply (11.1%), lack of land (10.5%), lack of organized market (9.5%), high cost of transportation (8.9%), lack of modern technologies (7.4%), high cost of labour (7.4%), inadequate water supply (6.3%), high spread of pest and disease (5.3%) and inadequate storage facilities (3.3%) were the major problems faced by catfish farmers. It is therefore suggested that there is a need of government support in terms of revitalization and prioritizing funding of extension delivery system of the state owned Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs). This will help to mobilize and motivate the extension agents to reach the target farmers with relevant information on improved farm management practices.

Keywords: Socio-economic, Returns, Production, Catfish, Bayelsa State