FISH FARMING: A SOURCE OF INCOME IN SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study examined the fish farming enterprise as a source of income in selected local government area in Niger State, Nigeria. Data for the study was collected through the use of questionnaire from 226 randomly selected fish farmers. Data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics, budgetary techniques and multiple regression analysis. The results revealed that fish farming was carried out predominantly by males who are 42 years of age on the average. The NFI was N12,255, while the BCR and RORI were 1.83 and 0.83 respectively an indication that fish farming was a profitable venture. In addition, the study revealed that cost of feed, cost of fingerlings, household size, and years spent schooling and farming experience were the factors that influenced revenue as they were significant at 5%. Based on the findings, the study concludes that fish farming is a profitable enterprise and it has a potential because it contributes to the household income. The study therefore recommends that young unemployed persons in the study area should be encouraged to start up fish farming enterprise and the government should help to subsidize the cost of feed so as to help fish farmers maximize their revenue.