Livelihood Strategies and Rural Income: The Case of Fishing Communities in Kainji Lake Basin Nigeria

Fish Biodiversity and Fishing Activities at Njoboliyo Lake, Adamawa State, Nigeria

“…While on demand side an increase in population and subsequent demand for food, changing customers' preferences and recognition by nutritionist of the health benefit of fish [33]. Study shows that the number of fishers within each catch range is higher in 0.1 kg-2.9 kg with 15 fishers, followed by 5 above kg with 14 fishers and 3-4.9 kg with 11 fishers, this un progressive increase in monetary based on the total catch range may probably be due to the use of the size, types, selectivity of fishing gears and effort being applied by the fishers [7,10]. Study also revealed that no matter how large the numbers of fishers within a particular group of catch range, their performance grading are the same.…”

“…Some of the other activities that depend on fishery are the fish processor, fish marketers, net menders from already fabricated materials purchased somewhere and the carpenters that construct fishing boats and paddles [10,16]. Though there is no information available on the fish monetary stock account of these lakes generally it has been a belief that fish resources reflect the fundamental economic principles of supply and demand which are affected primarily by abundance, location of fish, environmental conditions and economic factors affecting the fishing industry such as cost of fishing gears, labour and cost of fuel where applicable.…”

“…Since diversification often involves a change in income portfolio either by adding the portfolios or by expanding the existing ones [11,[35][36][37]. Although, the rural fishing economy is a complex one with various activities, however the majority of the fishers diversity more in fishing, crop production, livestock, trading and other services [10,27]. Those economic activities are often inseparable and form a complex web of rural fisher's income.…”

“…Study also revealed that no matter how large the numbers of fishers within a particular group of catch range, their performance grading are the same. The unsuccessful nature of fisheries management in lakes downstream Lagdo dam, and the eventual dwindling of the resources by the fishers have placed more problems to accepting fishing as a viable livelihood option in most of the fishing communities of this lake [2,10,34].…”

“…This realization necessitated several approaches for resources management over the years by government, donor agencies and non-governmental organizations, with more recent advocacy on concept of livelihood and diversification in order to reduce fishing effort and improve their wellbeing [10]. There is need to look at the contribution of each livelihood activities in the communities and their best combination in order to strengthen the efforts of the fishers in diversifying their livelihood is fundamental to achieve self-sufficiency, improve standard of living and enhance rural community development in those areas.…”