Abstract
The study analyzed the value chain for fish caught in Lake Alau located in the Konduga Local Government area, Borno state. A cluster sampling technique was used to select thirty (30) Fishermen, fifteen (15) fish processors, and thirty (30) fish marketers, making a sample of seventy-five (75) respondents. Structured questionnaires were administered to provide data for the survey. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques. The result revealed that all the Fishermen (100%) and fish processors (100%) and the majority (57%) of the fish marketers (57%) were males, with an age range of 20-30 years. The majority (83.3% Fishermen; 86.7% Processors and 70% fish marketers) had obtained Islamic education and spent above ten (10) years in formal education with the majority (63.3 Fishermen; 66.7 fish marketers) being married with a household size of 6-12 people and been in fishing, fish processing, and marketing respectively for above thirteen (13) years. The analysis revealed that the Fishermen were the main actors (being
responsible for the quantum of fish catch), the fish processors were involved in processing and the fish marketers were responsible for transactions concerning the fish catches. In terms of profitability, the study indicates that the fishermen have the highest percentage profit (135%) valued at ₦332,660.00 per month and the fish marketers had a loss amounting to ₦94, 0200.00 or -38% percentage monthly. The constraints identified include insecurity due to the Boko Haram crisis and labour scarcity. It was evident from the analysis that the fishers are the main actors along the chain as they are responsible for the fish catch with the marketers and processors relying on them for their activities. Analysis of value chain relations revealed that the actors share information and assist each other. It was recommended that the Government should support the fisher folks, marketers, and processors through capacity building, provision of effective marketing extension services to the value chain actors, and concerted efforts to end lingering insurgency in the area.
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