Abstract
This paper examined the resource-use efficiency of fish farmers in Maiduguri metropolis, Borno state, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the socio-economic characteristics of fish farmers, analyze the profitability of fish farming, estimate the production function of fish farmers, determine the resource-use efficiency of fish farmers, and investigate problems militating against fish farming in the study area. Respondents for the study were chosen first by a purposive selection of male and female fish farmers to form the sampling frame. From the list
of male and female farmers 16 each were selected proportionately at random to form 32 respondents for the study. The data used were derived from primary sources by means of structured questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Descriptive statistical tools used were frequency distributions and percentages while inferential tools comprised net farm income analysis, Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression analysis and efficiency ratio. The result revealed that majority of the male and female farmers were aged between 31
and 40 years. Most of the farmers have tertiary education and fish farming experience of between 1 and 5 years. Most of the respondents were married and have household sizes of between 7 and 9 persons in a family. Fish farming was found to be profitable with average profit per kilogram of ₦359.23 and ₦306.10 for male and female farmers respectively. Significant factors that determine fish production in the study area were feed, number of fingerlings and labour. These resources were however found to be over utilized by both male and female farmers. Major problems affecting fish farmers were high cost of fish feeds, inadequate improved fingerlings and lack of credit facilities. The study concluded that fish farming is a profitable venture and production resources were not efficiently utilized. There is evidence also that fish enterprises suffer some production constraints. It is therefore, recommended that efficiency could be attained if resources that were excessively used are reduced and cheap sources of good production resources are exploited.
References
Adekoya, B.B. and Miller, J.W. (2004). Fish Cage Culture Potential in Nigeria – An Overview, National Cultures. Agriculture Focus, 1(5): 10.
Anthonio, Y. and Akinwume, R.T. (1991). Small Scale Fresh Water Fish Farming. Agromisa Press, Netherlands, 1-3.
Borno State Ministry of Land and Survey (2007). Annual Report, 15-18.
Central Bank of Nigeria (2008). Annual Report and Statement of Accounts, Abuja, Nigeria.
Dougherty, C.P., Henricks, H.S., Reinert, I.C., Panya, L., Axerald, D.A. and Woodruff, T. (2000). Dietary Exposure to Food Contaminants across the United States. Environmental Research, 8: 188Pp.
Egwui, P.C. (2000). Construction of Homestead Concrete Fish Pond. Anambra/Imo State Agricultural Development Programme Monthly Technology Review Meeting, Akwa, Nigeria, 9Pp.
FAO (2001). Integrated Agriculture-Aquaculture: A Primer. Fisheries Technical Paper, No. 407, Rome Available on:
www.fao.org/docrep/005/y1187e/y1187e07.htm#h, 149Pp.
Food and Agricultural Organisation, FAO (20 02), Report of the FAO World Conference of Fisheries Management, Rome, 60 Pp.
Kudi, T.M., Bako, F.P. and Atala, T.K. (2009). Economics of Fish Farming in Kaduna State Nigeria, ARPN Journal of Agriculture and Biological Science, 3 (5 and 6):17-21.
Lake Chad Research Institute (2007). Annual Weather Report. LSMAC (2003). Homestead Farming. Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. Lagos State Government Press, 5-7.
Mafimisebi, T.E. (2004). Determinants of Yield Performance of Commercialised Fish Farms in Two Local Government Areas of Ondo State, Nigeria. The Journal of Ogun Agricultural Science. (3):157-173.
Mohammed, S.T., Apagu, J. and Shettima, B.G. (2011). Economic Analysis of Cultured Fishery in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Development, 8(1and 2) 60-65.
NPC (2006). National Population Census. Nzeka, U. (2003). Nigeria’s Demand for Seafood is high. U.S Department for Aqua Culture. Available
on:www.findarticle.com/P/articles, 25th June 2012.
Olagunju , F.I., Adesiyan, I.O. and Ezekiel, A.A. (2007). Economic Viability of Catfish Production in Oyo State, Nigeria. Humecol 21(2): 121-124.
Ohen, S.B., Agom, D.E. and Okon, U.H. (2009). Economics of Catfish Farming in Rivers State, Nigeria. Proceedings of the 23rd Annual National Conference of Farm Management Society of Nigeria. 14th – 17th December, Sokoto, Nigeria, 570-572.
Oseni,J.O.(2004). Structure and Operation Agricultural Extension in a Democratic and Deregulated Economy. National Conference of Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria. Annual Report, 65-79.
Sunderarajan, M. (2006). Role of Women in Fisheries Putting the Pieces Together. Proceeding of the Global Symposium on Women in Fisheries, 5-6.
Tobor, J.G. (1990). The Fishing Industry in Nigeria. Status and Potentials for Self Sufficiency in Fish Production. NIOMR Technical Paper, 54:7-12.
Wategire, B.B. (1986). Economics of Fish Farming in Delta Area of Bendel State, Nigeria. Unpublished M.Sc. Dissertation. Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. 86Pp.