SUSTAINABLE POLY-CULTURE FISH PRACTICES IN KANO STATE OF NIGERIA: AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
SUSTAINABLE POLY-CULTURE FISH PRACTICES IN KANO STATE OF NIGERIA: AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
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Date
2000-09
Authors
TAIWO, TIMOTHY, AMOS
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
The study was set to carry out an economic analysis of polyculture
(aquaculture) and determine resource use in ponds. The study was conducted in
Kano State of Nigeria. The specific objectives were; to determine the factors affecting
the development of aquaculture; in Kano State; describe the marketing of inputs and
outputs in aquaculture production; determine the profitability of aquaculture in the
State; determine the efficiency of resource use and economics of scale in ponds, make
an economic comparison between species combination in ponds; and assess the
sustainability of aquaculture in Kano State.
Data for the study were collected using questionnaire administered on 14 fish
farmers who were purposively sampled in the 1999 cropping season and used for
analysis. Descriptive statistics, farm business analysis, regression analysis and
sensitivity analysis were used in the study.
The major findings of the study showed that variable cost was the major
component of cost accounting for 70% of total cost in all the three types of
combinations (Tilapia,-Clarias, Tilapia- Bagrus- Clarias and Tilapia-Clarias-Clarotis-
Mud Fish) considered. The third type of combination (four-Fishes combination) had
the highest variable cost of N87,619.00 per hectare followed by Tilapia,-Clarias, then
Tilapia- Bagrus- Clarias. The two fish combination had a profit of N21, 900.00 per
hectare followed by the three fishes combination. The four-fishes combination had the
least profit of N4, 389.00 per hectare. There was a significant difference in profit level
for the three categories. Age of respondents, pond size, years of fish farming experience and feed
quantity were important determinants of fish output in ponds. A negative relationship
between age of aquaculturist and output is indicative of the tendency for younger
farmers to adopt new innovations which could increase output when compared to their
older counterparts. The result of the regression analysis (Cobb-Douglas production
function) showed that farmers were experiencing decreasing returns to scale in resource
use. The Marginal Value Productivity (MVP) of inputs such as feed, fertilizer and lime
showed that farmers were not utilizing their resource efficiently.
Sensitivity analysis performed on the effect of feed and fertilizer price changes on
profit in each combination showed that even at 100% price increase, quaculturists were
still making profits in all the three combinations. Aquaculture in Kano State could thus
be said to be profitable and sustainable.
Some problems identified to be militating against aquaculture activities in the
state include high cost of pellet feeds, scarcity of finger-ling for pond stocking and lack of
technical assistance from research and extension agents. Based on these findings, it was
recommended that aquaculturists be encourage to adopt new innovations in fish
farming.
Hatcheries in the State should be adequately funded and more should be
established at strategic locations in the State.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL IN PARTIAL
FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF
THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN
AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL
SOCIOLOGY
Keywords
SUSTAINABLE, POLY-CULTURE, FISH, PRACTICES, KANO, STATE, NIGERIA, ECONOMIC, ANALYSIS