Direct Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science

Vol. 10(8) Pp. 185-205, August 2022

ISSN 2354-4147
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26765/DRJAFS18252590
Article Number: DRJAFS18252590
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Author(s) retain the copyright of this article
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Full Length Research Paper

Economic Effect of Improved Fish Production Technology on the

Output of Fish Farmers in Otukpo Local Government Area of
Benue State, Nigeria
Tavershima, T.*, Ugwuh, M. G. and Ameh, D. E.
Department of Agricultural Economics, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding Author E-mail: [email protected]
Received 5 July 2022; Accepted 3 August 2022; Published 16 August 2022

ABSTRACT: The study examined the economic effect of improved fish production technology on the output of fish farmers in
Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Data were obtained from 100 fish farmers using multi-stage sampling
procedure, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that the mean age, household size and fish
farm experience were 43 years, 5 persons per household and 4 years respectively. Most used improved fish production systems
had a mean of 30 persons. The multiple linear regression analysis result showed that quantity of lime used, quantity of fertilizer
used, improved labour, number of improved fingerlings stocked and cooperative membership had a significant influence on the
fish farmers’ output. The difference in the mean number of fingerlings stocked after improved technology is 6666 while the
difference in the mean output of fish after improved technology is 28073. Gross margins for traditional and improved fish
production were N106803.7 and N323919 respectively, while the profits from the traditional and improved fish production
technology were N13083.7 and N115718 respectively. The profitability ratios for traditional and improved fish production
technology gave a benefit-cost ratio of 1.10 (traditional) and 1.17 (improved), expense structure ratio of 1.30 (traditional) and 0.42
(improved), rate of return of 0.10 (traditional) and 0.17 (improved), gross ratio (GR) of 0.93 (traditional) and 0.86 (improved) and
expense structure ratio (ESR) of 1.10 (traditional) and 1.17 (improved). The results indicate that improved fish production in the
area is viable and profitable. The major constraint to fish farming in the area was disease outbreak. The study therefore
recommends, sustained provision of extension services for improved fish farm practices, fish farmer membership of Fish Farmer
Associations for accrued benefits, and Government provision of credit facilities at low interest rate, improved inputs at low costs in
the area.

Keywords: Profitability, fish production, improved technology, fish output, Otukpo

INTRODUCTION

Fish indicates fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other of the required 35g/individual/day of animal protein,
aquatic animals. The global demand for fish and fish recommended by FAO (1986), fish should account for
products shows no signs of abating (FAO, 2018). The about 8g/person/day (Oluseye and Damilola, 2019). Fish
significant and growing role of fish in providing food, farming is also an important source of employment to a
nutrition and employment cannot be underestimated. It is lot of people both rural and urban dwellers. With the
an important and cheapest source of animal protein. Out growing reputation of fish as a healthy diet, low in
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 Direct Res. J. Agric. Food Sci. 194

calories and cholesterol, and high in protein, demand for (+24.7%), Indonesia (+30.5%), Viet Nam (+20.4%) and
it has grown throughout time (Oluseye and Damilola, Thailand (+30.0%) (OECD/FAO, 2021).
2019). In 2017, fish accounted for about 17 percent of After strong growth in 2018, with overall production,
total animal protein, and 7 percent of all proteins trade and consumption reaching historic peaks, the
consumed globally. In 2018, it provided about 3.3 billion global fisheries and aquaculture declined slightly in 2019.
people with almost 20 percent of their average per capita Aquaculture production continued to expand by 2
intake of animal protein globally (FAO, 2018). Harvesting percent, while capture fisheries declined by about 4
of aquatic resources and production is done either in the percent due to lower catches of certain species including
wild (capture fisheries) or in controlled environments cephalopods, cod and selected small pelagic species
(aquaculture) (FAO, 2021). The fisheries and aquaculture (OECD/FAO, 2022). Total fish production is expected to
sector significantly expanded in the past decades and expand from 179 million tonnes in 2018 to 204 million
total production, trade and consumption reached an all – tonnes in 2030. Aquaculture is projected to reach 109
time record in 2018 (FAO, 2018). However, since the million tonnes in 2030, an increase of 32 percent over
early 1990s, the majority of output growth in the industry 2018. Apart from accessibility, the share of fish
as a whole has been largely constant, with a portion of production for human consumption is estimated to grow,
expansion primarily attributable to inland capture. reaching 89 percent by 2030. The main factors behind
In 2018, total global capture fisheries production this increase are represented with high demand due to
reached the highest level ever recorded at 96.4 million rising urbanization and income, improvements in
tonnes – an increase of 5.4 percent from the average of processing and distribution which strengthen the
the previous three years. The increase was mostly driven commercialization of fish. In per capita terms, world fish
by marine capture fisheries, with production from marine consumption is expected to reach 2.5kg in 2030, up from
areas increasing to 84.4 million, up from 81.2 million in 20.5kg in 2018 (FAO, 2020).
2017. Top capture producers were China, Indonesia, Africa is behind in fish production. Given that 38 of
Peru, India, Russia, USA and Vietnam. These countries Africa’s 54 States are coastal and island nations, it is
accounted for almost 50 percent of total global capture ironic that the continent is behind in the fisheries sector.
production (FAO, 2018). Capture fisheries (all kinds of harvesting of naturally
World aquaculture attained an all – time record high of occurring living resources in both marine and freshwater
114.5 million tonnes in live weight in 2018, with a total environments) in Africa currently have an output at 10m
farmgate sale of USD 263.6 billion. The total production tonnes (NewAfrican, 2020). The total gross value –
consisted of 82.1 million tonnes of aquatic animals, 32.4 added of the fisheries in Africa is estimated at $21bn
million tonnes of aquatic algae and 26,000 tonnes of (Kabukuru, 2020). Although African aquaculture
ornamental seashells and pearls. Inland aquaculture production is significantly increasing with large – scale
produced 51.3 million tonnes of aquatic animals, investments in Egypt, Nigeria, Uganda and Ghana
accounting for 62.5 percent of the world’s farmed food producing substantial quantities of fish (Cai et al., 2017;
fish production. This refers to aquaculture produced FAO, 2018), the region’s contribution to world
either from inland natural water sources, such as rivers aquaculture production is still insignificant (2.7%)
and lakes, and fish farms. Aquaculture is the farming of (Halwart, 2020; Adeleke et al., 2021). However, in sub-
aquatic animals, including finfish, crustaceans, molluscs Saharan Africa, in the period between 2017 and 2018,
and aquatic plants, mostly algae, using or within the volume of fish production amounted to roughly 7.7
freshwater, seawater, brackish water and inland saline million metric tonnes. Compared to a decade prior, the
water. World aquaculture production of farmed aquatic volume of production of fish incremented by over two
animals has been dominated by Asia, with an 89 percent metric million metric tons. Furthermore, it is projected that
share in the last two decades or so. Among major by 2029, the population of fish in the sub – region will
producing countries, China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, continue to increase, reaching around 8.3 million metric
Bangladesh, Egypt, Norway and Chile, have consolidated tonnes (Galal, 2022).
their share in regional or world production to varying Between 2010 and 2015, Nigeria produced 5.7 million
degree over the past two decades (FAO, 2018). Despite tonnes of fish. The year 2014 saw the highest number of
an acceleration of the growth in Chinese production over tonnes of fish, totaling 1.1 million tonnes. The second
the second half of the outlook period, China’s share of biggest amount of fish produced was in 2015, while the
global aquaculture production is expected to decrease lowest amount was in 2010. Furthermore, data on fish
slightly from 57% in 2018-20 to 56% in 2030. Regionally, production by sector revealed that 5 million tonnes of fish
Asia is expected to maintain its position as the largest were produced between 2011and 2015. The second
producer, with the share of global production from the highest tonnes of fish produced by sector were recorded
region accounting for 88% in 2030, with strong production in 2013, while the least were recorded in 2011 (NBS,
growth expected in other major Asian producers: India 2017). Despite being the largest producer of fish in Africa,

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Tavershima et al. 195

Nigeria currently records a 2.5 metric tonnes of fish iii. determine the effect of improved fish production
deficit, a situation that may have jeopardized protein technology on fish farmers’ output in the study area;
intake among Nigerians. The total fish production in iv. examine the profitability of traditional and
Nigeria is about 1.123 million metric tonnes while the improved fish production technology in the study area;
annual consumption is about 3,6 million metric tonnes. and
The total fish production including imports in Nigeria still v. identify the factors that affect the output of fish
does not satisfy the total fish demand (Oritse, 2021). production among the respondents in the study area.
Globally, fish production in ponds, lakes, flood plains,
oxbow lakes and semi - closed water bodies are
increasing day by day due to adoption of modem METHODOLOGY
aquaculture technology by the fish culturists (Alam et al.,
2017). In the natural body, the capture fisheries are Study area
diminishing day to day due to agrochemicals, dike
construction, flood, siltation, industrial effluents This study was carried out in Otukpo Local Government
(Chakraborty, 2009). Area (LGA) of Benue State. Otukpo is one of the oldest
However, in Nigeria and Otukpo Local Government LGAs inBenue State, Nigeria located in the middle belt
Area of Benue State in particular, the present state of the region of zone C on 70131N & 8091E and 70211N &
fishery sector is very poor. Rogers (2003) and Olaoye 80151E. It is equally bounded in the North by Apa and
(2017) stated that the present condition of the fishery Ohimini local government areas, Ado local government in
sector in the country cannot guarantee the sustainable the South and Olamaboro local government area in Kogi
supply of fish to the nation and hence require that efforts state in the West (Figures 1 and 2). The LGA came into
be made at encouraging fish farmers in taking up the existence in 1923, with its headquarters at Otukpo. It also
modern means of fish production through the use of doubles as the traditional headquarters of Idoma people
improved fisheries and aquaculture technologies. It is on where its paramount Chief, the Och’Idoma has his
the basis of this obvious fact that this study becomes palace.
imperative. In addition to metropolitan Otukpo town, other
Past literature on fish production in most States in prominent places in the LGA include Ogobia, Upu,
Nigeria has focused mainly on the economic analysis of Otukpoicho, Otobi, Adoka, Oyagede and Akpa-Igede.
fish farming, investment and the factors affecting the The area is mainly populated by Idoma speaking tribe.
investments, neglecting the economic effect of improved The major dialects are Idoma, Igede, Agatu and Akpa. It
fish production technology on the output, especially in has an estimated landmass of about 390 sq. km, and with
Benue State, including Otukpo Local Government Area of an estimated population of 266,411 (NPC, 2006). The
the State. For instance, Oladejo (2010) examined the major occupation of the people is farming. However, most
economic analysis of small-scale catfish farming in Ido of the farming activities in Otukpo are done using
Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria; Akangbe traditional methods which have led to high shortage of
et al. (2015) examined the effects of improved fish supply of the agricultural produce. It is on this note that
production technology on the output of fish farmers in this study sought to enlighten the people about the
Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria; Olaoye (2017) worked on profitability of improved method of farming.
Adoption of Improved Fisheries Technologies among
Fish Farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria; Salau et al. (2014)
examined the adoption of improved fisheries technologies Population and sample size selection
by fish farmers in southern agricultural zone of Nasarawa
State, Nigeria; Oluseye and Damilola (2019) examined The study population comprises all the fish farmers in
the Profitability of Investment in Fish Farming Enterprise Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
inIbadan Metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria. To fill this gap, Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the
this study seeks to economically examine the effect of fish farmer respondents in the study area. First, four
improved fish production technology on the output of fish council wards were purposively selected based on their
farmers in Otupko Local Government Area of Benue popularity in fish farming. At stage two, a preliminary
state, Nigeria. Specifically, the objectives of this study are survey was conducted across the four selected council
to: wards to find the total number of fish farms in the wards.
In the final stage, 50 percent of the identified fish farms
i. describe the socio-economic characteristics of who had stocked their farms in each of the four council
fish farmer respondents in the study area; wards were purposively selected. This gave a total of 100
ii. identify the type of fish production systems fish farms selected for the survey (Table 1), with the
engaged in by fish farmers in the study area; managers of the fish farms as their respondents.

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 Direct Res. J. Agric. Food Sci. 196

Figure 1: Map of Benue State showing the study area

Data analysis production income (that is, total income or total revenue).
In this study, production income refers to the monetary
Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed
in this study. The descriptive statistical tools such as value of the output obtained by the fish farmer.
frequencies and percentages were used to analyze
objectives 1, 2, 3 and 5. Inferential statistics such as It is expressed as TI = PQ (1)
budgetary techniques and profitability and efficiency
ratios were used to analyze objective 4 and multiple Where, TI is the total income, P is the price per unit and
regression model was used to analyze objective 3. Q is the quantity of output.
Production costs or the total costs refer to the total
Model specification expenditure or expenses incurred during a given period
on a specified enterprise by the fish farm firm. It includes
Budgetary technique rent on land, pond construction cost, and cost of
fingerlings, feed cost, cost of veterinary and drugs,
Budgetary technique covers the analysis of costs such as transportation cost amongst others. Depreciation, which
average fixed cost and average variable costs and is a cost on fixed assets consumed during a given period.
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Tavershima et al. 197

Figure 2: Map of Otukpo the study area

The common fixed assets used by small-scale fish Q = Quantity;

farmers are water pump, fishing equipment. P = Price;
Quantitatively, profitability model was expressed as TC = Total cost;
follows: TVC = Total variable cost;
TFC = Total fixed cost;
TI=QxP (2) GM= Gross margin;
TC=TVC+TFC (3) π = Profit.
GM=TI–TVC (4)
π=GM–TFC (depreciated value) (5) Profitability and Efficiency Ratio
Where,
TI = Total Income; Various ratios were computed to ascertain the extent of
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 Direct Res. J. Agric. Food Sci. 198

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

the profitability of fishing farming enterprise, namely:
Socio – economic characteristics of fish farmers in
BCR = TI / TC (6) the study area
ESR=FC/VC (7)
ROR=NR/TC (8) The results of the socio-economic characteristics of
GR=TC/TR (9) respondents are presented in (Table 2). The results
revealed most (47%) of the respondents were within the
Where, age brackets of 31 to 45 years. The mean age of the
respondents was 43 years. The finding is in agreement
BCR = Benefit Cost ratio; with the findings of Okwu et al. (2011), who found out that
ESR = Expense Structure Ratio; most of the fish farmers were in their economic active
ROR =Rate of Return; years. Most (45%) of the respondents got the land they
GR = Gross Ratio are using for fish farming through inheritance. The mean
years of fish farm experience of the respondents were 4
Multiple regression model years. This shows that most of the fish farmers are fairly
new in the enterprise and are in the process of attaining
This was used to analyze objective 3 i.e. to determine the the level of experience required for best management
effect of improved fish production technology on fish practices in their fish farming enterprises. Majority (55%)
output in the study area. of the fish farmers were males. This shows that fish
The implicit model of the regression was specified as farming enterprises seem to be a male dominated activity
follows: in the study area. This corroborates the study of Okwu et
al. (2011) who affirmed that males dominate fish farming.
Y = f (X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X8, X9) Majority (70%) of the respondents were married. This
Explicitly, it si given as: shows that most of the fish farmers are with
responsibilities that would make them willing to seek
Yi = β0+β1X1 + β2X2 + β3X3 + β4X4 +β5X5 + β6X6 +β7X7 + innovations so as to increase their income and improve
β8X8 +β9X9 + ei. their standard of living. The results on household size
Where, showed that majority (70%) of the respondents had 1 to 5
household members with a mean household size of 5
Y = the total fish output in kg persons. This indicates that majority of the farmers had
X1 = quantity of improved feed used in kg/ culture time family labour for fish pond management practices.
X2 = quantity of fertilizer used in kg Majority (56%) of the respondents had no formal
X3 = quantity of lime used in kg education. They slightly lack the level of education
X 4 = improved labour in man-hour required to adopt new technologies in order to improve
X5 = number of improved fingerlings stocked fish farming.
X6 = Educational status (qualification obtained) The result also revealed that majority (53%) of the fish
X7 = Annual income farmers were able to raise their capital from personal
X8 = Cooperative membership savings and only 14 percent had access to bank loans.
X9 = Household size The major annual farm income range of the respondents
ß1… ß9 = regression coefficients was N601000 and above with a mean annual farm
ei = error term income of N191655. This implies that fish farming is a
profitable enterprise. Also, all the respondents in the area
revealed that their reason for embarking on fish farming
Where: Yi is the dependent variable and Xi (i=1 to 9) are was to make profit. This result is in line with the finding of
independent variables, β are the parameters to be Salau et al. (2014) who reported that fish farming was a
estimated, and ei is the error term. profitable venture which provided self – employment for
the people in Nasarawa State. Majority (78%) of the fish
Apriori Expectation: Variables such as education, farmers did not belong to any cooperative.
household size, improved labour, cooperative
membership, number of improved fingerlings, quantity of Types of fish production systems/practices engaged
improved feed used, annual income, quantity of fertilizer in by fish farmers
used and quantity of lime used were expected to
positively influence total fish production while Household The results of fish production systems/practices used by
size was expected to have a positive or negative impact the fish farmer respondents are presented in (Table 3).
on total fish production. Majority (68%) of the respondents reared Clarias spp.

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Tavershima et al. 199

Table 1: Sample size selection plan.

Council ward No. of fish farms identified Selected Sample Size (50%)
1 Apka 49 (50/100*49) =24

2 Otupkpo 53 (50/100*53)=26

3 Adoka 48 (50/100*48) =24

4 Ogboju 52 (50/100*52) =26

Total 202 100

Source: Field preliminary Survey (2021).

Table 2: Distribution of Respondents by the Socio-economic Characteristics of Fish Farmers (n = 100)..

Variable Frequency Percentage (%) Mean

Age (years)
15-30 12 12
31-45 47 47 43
46-60 33 33
61 and above 8 8
Sex
Male 55 55
Female 45 45 NA
Marital Status
Single 30 30
Married 70 70
Household Size (number)
1-5 70 70
6-10 30 30 5
Educational Qualification (years)
No Formal Education 56 56
Formal Education 44 44 NA
Farm Experience (years)
1-5 88 88
6 - 10 12 12 4
Annual Farm Income (N)
300000-400000 4 4
401000-500000 15 15
501000-600000 15 15
601000 and above 56 56 191655
Mode of Land Acquisition
Purchase 44 44
Lease/Rent 11 11 NA
Inheritance 45 45
Cooperative Membership
Yes 22 22 NA
No 78 78
Source of Finance
Personal Savings 53 53
Friends/Relatives 13 13 NA
Cooperatives 20 20
Bank Loan 14 14
Reason for Fish Farming
For Profit 100 NA
Source: Field Survey, 2021; NA = Not Applicable

Most (40%) of the respondents owned concrete ponds. either monoculture or polyculture. Majority (68%) of the
This finding agrees with that of Salau et al. (2014) and respondents got their fingerlings from own fish farm. This
Nwachukwu and Onuegbu (2005) who observed that disagrees with the finding of Salau et al. (2014) who
most fish farmers in Nigeria operated small – scale farms found that majority of the respondents in Nasarawa State
ranging from homestead concrete to small earthen obtained their fingerlings from commercial hatcheries.
ponds. About 50 percent of the respondents practiced Also, in the study area, majority of the respondents had a
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 Direct Res. J. Agric. Food Sci. 200

Table 3: Distribution of fish farmer respondents according to fish production systems/Practices (n = 100).

Variable Frequency Percentage

Rearing Structure/Facilities
Earthen pond and concrete tank 37 37
Concrete pond only 40 40
Earthen pond only 23 23
Types of Culture
Monoculture 50 50
Polyculture 50 50
Types of Cultured Specie
Clariasspp 68 68
Clarias and Tilapia spp 32 32
Source of Fingerlings
Own Fish Farm 68 68
Fish Hatchery 32 32
Culturing Period
5 Months 9 9
6 Months 70 70
More than six months 21 21
Harvesting Period (year)
Once 3 3
Twice 85 85
Thrice 12 12
Source: Field Survey, 2021

Table 4: Distribution of fish farmer respondents according to type (s) of improved fish production technology engaged in.

Improved Technology Frequency* Mean Percentage Percentage

Ranking
Floating 13
Standard feeding regimes 13
Improved breeds of fingerlings 13
Provision of inlet and outlet devices in pond 13
Soil testing before site selection 13
Water testing kits for oxygen, acidity and fertility 13
Construction of modern fishing gears. 13
Formal training in fish production technology 13
Total 104 13 26 4th
Frequent change of water 17
Regular sampling/sorting of fish 17
Daily sanitation and record-keeping practices 17
Prevention and control of fish diseases 17
Total 68 17 17 3rd
Optimum stocking rate 27
Improved techniques in pond construction and maintenance 27
Fertilization and liming of fish pond 27
Techniques of hatchery and fingerling production 27
Total 108 27 27 2nd
Fish preservation and storage techniques 30
Techniques of improving water quality in fish culture 30
Integrated fish farming for increased fish production 30
Aerated containers for transporting fingerlings to reduce stress and 30
mortality
Total 120 30 30 1st
Source: Field Survey, 2021; *Multiple Response

fish culturing period of six months (70%) and harvested study area are presented in (Table 4). The results
twice in a year (85%). revealed that most (30%) of the respondents, with a
mean value of 30 used fish preservation and storage
Types of improved fish production technology used techniques, techniques of improving water quality in fish
by fish farmers in the study area culture, integrated fish farming for increased fish farming
and aerated containers for transporting fingerlings to
The results of type (s) of improved fish production reduce stress and mortality, in fish production. This result
technology used by the fish farmer respondents in the disagrees with the finding of Akangbe et al. (2015) who

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Tavershima et al. 201

Table 5: Multiple regression estimates of improved factors influencing fish farm output in the study area.

Variable Coefficients Standard Error t Stat P-value

Constant 3007.7 307.27 9.7884 0.0000
Quantity of Improved feed -12.802 2.9925 -4.2780 0.0000*
Quantity of lime -1.5986 0.6592 -2.4251 0.0173**
Quantity of fertilizer 1.7074 0.6007 2.8424 0.0055*
Improved labour 50.040 19.493 2.5671 0.0119**
No. of improved fingerlings stocked 48.654 13.608 3.5755 0.0006*
Educational qualification 36.816 36.875 0.9984 0.3208
Annual income 0.0001 0.0000 4.6405 0.0000*
Cooperative membership 89.058 44.571 1.9981 0.0487**
Household size 52.273 10.411 5.0211 0.0000*
Significant at 1% and 5% (**P < 0.05, *P < 0.01)
Multiple R = 0.7078 R2 = 0.5009 Adjusted R2 = 0.4510 F = 10.038
Source: Field Survey, 2021

reported that majority of the fish farmer respondents in farmers’ inability to purchase adequate quantity of the
Kwara State used improved technology such as floating improved feed for fish production as a result of its high
feeds, standard feeding regimes, improved breeds of cost. The coefficient of quantity of lime used (-1.5986)
fingerlings, provision of inlet and outlet devices in pond was negative and statistically significant at 5 percent
and frequent change of water in fish production. level. This implies that an increase in the quantity of lime
used by the fish farmers in fish production decreases the
The effect of improved fish production technology on output by 159.86 at the 0.05 level of significance. This
fish farmers’ output in the study area could happen if the lime used is not equal to the
recommended rates. The coefficient of quantity of
The results of the multiple linear regression analysis on fertilizer used (1.7074) was positive and statistically
the effect of improved fish production technology on fish significant at 1 percent level. This implies that an
farmers’ output in the study area are presented in (Table increase in the quantity of fertilizer used by the fish
5). The coefficient of multiple correlation (R) equals farmers in fish production as per recommended rates
0.7078 (71%). It means that there is a very strong direct would increase the fish output by 170.74 at the 0.01 level
relationship between the explanatory variables and the of significance. This result agrees with the findings of
fish farmers’ output. The R2 is 0.5009. This suggests that Musaba and Namanwe (2020) that fertilizing fish ponds
50 percent of the variability in the outputs of the even with chicken manures increases fish production.
respondents is jointly explained by variations in the The coefficient of household size (52.273) was positive
specified independent variables considered in the model. and statistically significant at 1 percent level. This
The adjusted R2 is 0.4510 (45%). The F-Value obtained indicates that an increase in the fish farmers’ household
(10.038) indicates that the overall equation is statistically size which constitutes family labour increases the output
significant at 1 percent (p<0.01). The results showed by 5227.3 at the 0.01 level of significance.
annual income, household size, quantity of fertilizer used, The coefficient of improved labour (50.040) was
improved labour, number of improved fingerlings stocked positive and statistically significant at 5 percent level. This
and cooperative membership were the positive and implies that an increase in the use of improved labour by
statistically significant factors that influenced fish farmers’ the fish farmers in fish production increases the output by
output in the area. These are in line with a priori 5004.0 at the 0.05 level of significance. The coefficient of
expectation. Quantity of lime used and quantity of number of fingerlings stocked by the fish farmers
improved labour used were statistically significant but (48.654) was positive and statistically significant at 1
negatively signed and therefore in contrast to a priori percent level. This implies that an increase in the number
expectation. Educational qualification was positive in of fingerlings stocked by the fish farmers in fish
conformity with a priori expectation but not statistically production would increase the output by 4865.4 at the
significant. 0.01 level of significance. This indicates that a low
The coefficient of quantity of improved feed (-12.802) stocking rate would result in low output. This agrees with
was negative and statistically significant at 1 percent the findings of Salau et al. (2014) who associated low
level. This implies that an increase in the use of improved stocking rate with small – scale farmers who found it
feed by the fish farmers for fish production decreases the difficult to adopt technologies that are capital - intensive
output by 1280.2 at the 0.01 level of significance. This and high – yielding. The coefficient of annual income
could either be due to diminishing returns or the fish (0.0001) was positive and statistically significant at 1
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 Direct Res. J. Agric. Food Sci. 202

Table 6: Distribution of respondents by average quantity of fingerlings

stocked in pond and output per production cycle before and after
adoption of improved technology.

Item Before Adoption After Adoption

of Technology of Technology
Average Quantity of fingerlings 509 7175
stocked in pond (Number)
Average Quantity of fish 3151 31224
Output (Number)
Source: Field Survey, 2021

Table 7: Gross margin and profitability analysis of traditional and improved fish production technology per
production cycle/last cropping season in the study area.

Item Traditional (Mean Amount, ₦) Improved (Mean amount, ₦)

Variable costs
Fish Feed 6488 239700
Labour 3188 7640
Fish seed/fingerlings 3870 85550
Lime 1420.3 15687.5
Fertilizer - 15312.5
Prevention/control of fish disease 45000 112000
Source/frequent change of water 12350 11580
Transportation 630 -
Formal training in fish production
Technology - 5865
Total Variable Costs (TVC) 72946.3 493335
Revenue
Total Revenue (TR) 179750 817254
Gross Margin (GM) = TR-TVC 106803.7 323919
Total Fixed Costs (TFC) 93720 208201
Profit (#) = GM - TFC 13083.7 115718
Source: Field Survey, 2021

percent level. This shows that an increase in the fish presented in (Table 6). The results showed that the mean
farmers’ income would increase the fish output by 0.01 at number of fingerlings stocked before improved fish
the 0.01 level of significance. technology was 509 and the mean output (harvest)
The coefficient of cooperative membership (89.058) without improved technology was 3151 in the study area.
was positive and statistically significant at 5 percent level. After the adoption of improved technology, the mean
This implies that an increase in the fish farmers’ stocking was 7175 fingerlings and the mean output
involvement in cooperatives would increase the fish (harvest) 31224 in the study area. The difference in the
output by 8905.8 at the 0.05 level of significance. This is mean number of fingerlings stocked after improved
because cooperatives serve as avenues through which technology is 6666 while the difference in the mean
farmers access inputs, improved inputs, credit and output of fish after improved technology is 28073. This
training even in fish production and improved technology indicates that there is an appreciable increase in the
adoption is accelerated. This result agrees with the output after the adoption of improved fish technology.
findings of Wabbi (2002) and Salau et al. (2014) who The implication is that the use and adoption of improved
reported that membership of social groups accelerates technology has positive influence on production output of
the adoption of improved technologies which by fish farmers in the study area. This result is consistent
implication, results in high output. with the finding of Akangbe et al. (2015) and Ashaolu et
al. (2006) who observed that fish farming is profitable.
Average quantity of fingerlings stocked in pond and
output per production cycle before and after adoption
of improved technology in the study area Profitability, viability and efficiency of traditional and
improved fish production technology in the study
The results of the average quantity of fingerlings stocked area
in pond and output per production cycle before and after
the adoption of improved technology in the study area are The results of Gross Margin and profitability analysis of
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Tavershima et al. 203

Table 8: Distribution of respondents by

efficiency/viability ratios of fish production in the
study area.

Items Fish farmers’ value

Ratio Traditional Improved
Benefit Cost ratio 1.10 1.17
Expense structure ratio 1.30 0.42
Rate of returns 0.10 0.17
Gross ratio 0.93 0.86
Source: Field Survey, 2021

Table 9: Mean Distribution of Respondents according to Problems

Affecting Fish Production in the Study Area.

Variable Mean (M) Ranking

Inadequate capital 0.79 5th
High cost of feed 0.87 2nd
High cost of fingerlings 0.83 4th
Poor extension service 0.75 8th
Water scarcity 0.74 9th
Poor managerial skill 0.67 13th
Poor transport facility 0.78 7th
Lack of technical skill 0.71 11th
High cost of land 0.28 14th
Poor marketing structure 0.79 5th
Disease outbreak 0.91 1st
Lack of commercial hatchery 0.72 10th
High cost of acquiring improved technology 0.86 3rd
Illiteracy 0.69 12th
Source: Field Survey, 2021

traditional and improved fish production technology in the (improved). This implies that about 130 percent
study area are presented in Table 7. The results revealed (Traditional) and/or 42 percent (improved) of the total
that the average total variable costs (TVC) of traditional cost of production were made up of the fixed cost
and improved fish production are N72946.3 and N493335 component of the fish farmers. The rates of return were
respectively. Total revenues from the sale of traditional 0.10 (traditional) and 0.17 (improved). This shows that for
and improved fish outputs were N179750 and N817254 every N1.00 invested by a concrete-pond farmer, 10 kobo
respectively. Gross margins for traditional and improved (traditional) and/or 17 kobo (improved) are/is gained by
fish production were estimated at N106803.7 and the respondent. The gross ratios were 0.93 (traditional)
N323919 respectively, while the profits from the and 0.86 (improved). This implies that for every 1.00
traditional and improved fish production technology were return to the enterprise, 93 kobo (traditional) and/or 86
estimated at N13083.7 and N115718 respectively during kobo (improved) are/is spent. These measures of
the lasting cropping period. This result indicates that fish performance indicate that improved fish farming
production is profitable but improved fish production enterprise in the study area is viable and the business is
technology is more profitable than the traditional fish profitable. This result agrees with the findings of Oluseye
production technology in the study area. This result and Damilola (2015) who reported that fish farming
agrees with the finding of Oluseye and Damilola (2015) enterprise is viable and the business of fish farming was
who reported that the business of fish farming was profitable in Oyo State.
profitable in Oyo State. The results of the
viability/efficiency ratios of fish production in the study Problems encountered by fish farmers in fish
area are presented in (Table 8). The results revealed that production in the study area
Benefit – Cost Ratio (BCR) is greater than 1 for fish
production enterprises irrespective of their pond typology, The results of problems encountered by fish farmers in
whether traditional or improved. The values of the fish production in the study area are presented in (Table
expense structure ratios were 1.30 (traditional) and 0.42 9). The results revealed that disease outbreak which

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 Direct Res. J. Agric. Food Sci. 204

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