Differentials in Adoption of Improved Fish Farming Technologies among Farmers in Imo State, Nigeria: A Gender Analyses
Abstract
Women are key players in fish farming and their participation is critical to achieving food security and economic well-being. The study was designed with the purpose to address the gender gap in the adoption of fish farming technologies and output in Imo State, Nigeria. The study described the socio economic characteristics of fish farmers, investigated level and determinants of adoption of fish farming among the respondents in the study area. Multistage and purposive sampling techniques were used for the selection of Sixty (60) respondents interviewed for the study. Descriptive statistics and Tobit regression procedure were used to analyze the data obtained. Results indicate that 43.3% and 30.0% of male and female fish farmers respectively, were within the age group of 41-50 years. Majority (72.2%) of the male fish farmers inherited their land, while 80% of female fish farmers had theirs through lease. About 70% of the males had 1-2 number of extension contacts, and 50.0% of the female farmers also. Results showed that male fish farmers dominated in the adoption of 5 improved fish farming technologies compared to their female (3) counterparts. Stocking density had the highest mean level of adoption (3.97) for the male fish farmers, while, feed formulation had the highest (3.67) for the female fish farmers. Important factors influencing the probability and intensity of adoption of improved fish farming technologies among the farmers include; education, extension, farm size, access to credit, membership of cooperatives, and environmental attribute. The results therefore, call for the need for policies aimed at free and affordable education, especially targeted at women to enable them access and process information on improved fish farming technologies. There is also need to increase the number of extension visits to enhance gender balance in adoption of fish farming technologies in the study area. Fish farmers should be encouraged to belong to or form cooperatives/groups to enable them ease of access to inputs and resources, especially credit and information that will enhance adoption.
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