SUSTAINABLE POLY-CULTURE FISH PRACTICES IN KANO STATE OF NIGERIA: AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

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SUSTAINABLE POLY-CULTURE FISH PRACTICES IN KANO STATE OF NIGERIA: AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

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.

SUSTAINABLE POLY-CULTURE FISH PRACTICES IN KANO STATE OF NIGERIA: AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

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