APPLICATION OF IMPROVED AQUACULTURE PRACTICES BY FISH FARMERS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed application of improved aquaculture practices by fish farmers in Niger State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select a total number of two hundred and thirty one (231) fish farmers. Data were collected from primary source using structured questionnaire complemented with interview schedule. Data collected were analyzed using both descriptive statistics such as (means, percentages and frequency distribution) and inferential statistics such as (multiple regression and linear regression).The results showed that majority (93.1%) of the fish farmers were males with mean age of 40 years. Majority (82.7%) were married, while mean experience of fish farmers was 9.2 years. Majority (96.5%) belonged to one or more cooperative. Also, 95.2% had formal education while the mean household size was 10 persons. Further findings revealed that fish farmers applied medication to treat stress, control pest and disease(𝑋̅ =2.79), sorting density to separate jumpers (𝑋̅ =2.77), use of ash to control acidity in pond (𝑋̅ =2.72) and use of organic and inorganic fertilizer (𝑋̅ =2.68). Also, fish farmers agreed that the use of aquaculture practices can greatly improve farmers’ skills(𝑋̅ =4.78), improved practices provide higher yield/income than the old ones (𝑋̅ =4.68) and training is required to correctly apply the improved practices (𝑋̅ =4.61). The coefficient of age (-.1649953), experience (.56634), cooperative (17.70519) household size (-.7542798) extension services (1.590344) output (.0006172) had significantly influenced the application of improved aquaculture practices. Moreover, the coefficient of fingerlings (.0000825), feed (.000154), fertilizer (.0013279), depreciation (-3.38e-06) labour (-.0012519) and age (-.0046984), education (.0067926) and household size (.010459) had significant effects of improved aquaculture practices application on fish farmers’ output. Further findings showed that environmental pollution(𝑋̅ =3.0), unfavorable weather conditions for fish growth(𝑋̅ =2.95) and flooding of pond(𝑋̅ =2.90) were the major constraints to application of improved aquaculture practices. Further findings showed a significant relationshipbetween application of improved aquaculture practices and perception of the fish farmers.It is recommended that women should be encouraged to embrace aquaculture practices in order to enhance their livelihood. Regular popularization, training and empowerment for effective conviction of the fish farmers should be ensured to further level of awareness, perception and application of aquaculture practices and fishermen should put in place every measure to avert environmental pollution such as use of gamalin and other hazardous chemicals that are toxic to fishes.