Socioeconomic and profitability analysis of catfish production: a case study of Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the economics of catfish production in Nigeria using Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria as a case study. To achieve the study objectives, 40 catfish producers were randomly sampled and data for the study were collected with the aid of questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and net farm income analysis were employed for the analysis of the data collected. The study findings show that most (85%) of the catfish farmers were males, and majority of them are in their active ages (<35 to 55 years). About 20% of the total population sampled was involved in full time catfish farming and 80% were able to finance their catfish farm from personal savings. Majority of the respondents have rich experience in catfish farming and have attained some level of education which is expected to influence their output positively. The total cost of catfish production was estimated to be ₦584,968.041 ($1,614.73) per production cycle (average 7 months), and the total revenue generated from the sale of market size catfish in the study area was ₦2,257,098 ($6,226.48) per production cycle. The respondents made a net farm income of ₦1,672,129.96 ($4,615.70) in one production cycle (average 7 months). This indicates that catfish production is profitable in the area. To enhance the performance of catfish production, the study recommends improvement in infrastructural facilities that will create an enabling environment for increased productivity and profitability.

Profitability of Catfish Production in Enugu Metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria

“…This result disagrees with the findings of (Onyekuru et al, 2019) who reported that the majority (75%) of fish farmers had below 5 years of experience. (Oluwasola and Ige, 2015) opined that fish farming experience is a desirable for increased profitability in fish production.…”

“…In the short run, these costs include both variable and fixed costs of production. The variable costs, involved in catfish production as shown in Table 2, include catfish seeds (fingerlings), catfish feeds, labour, petrol, transportation and miscellaneous costs (Ugwumba and Chukwuji, 2010;Ochiaka and Obasi, 2019;and Onyekuru et al, 2019). The average value of fixed cost is presented in Table 3.…”

Socioeconomic correlates of catfish production status in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

“…The coefficient of membership of cooperative society (X 5 ) was positive and statistically significant at 5 % implying that being a member of cooperative society will substantially enhance fish production. This agrees with Okike (2000) and Onyekuru et al (2019) who reported that farmers who belong to cooperative society have access to good quality inputs, information, organised marketing of production and increased business performance (output) than those who do not belong to a society.…”

Socio-economic determinants of net-income in fish farming in Kainji Lake Basin, Nigeria onomic determinants of net-income in fish farming in Kainji Lake Basin, Nigeria

“…For instance, Omeje, Sule and Aguihe (2020) opined that aqua-culturists within the economically active age possess the potentials to expand for higher income. Onyekuru, Ihemezie and Chima (2019) gave an insightful thought that fish farmers with longer years of experience are expected to be more productive than those with shorter years of experience; while Adeosun et al (2019) reported that the years of experience in fish farming and number of ponds per farmer were positive determinants of net farm income. On this note, Zacharia et al (2013) opined that understanding these factors is important in policy formulation in aquaculture sub-sector as it allows refining management strategies to reflect the needs and aspirations of the people concerned.…”