Effect of productive inputs of pond fish production on the output of fish in Owerri agricultural zone of Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study focused on effect of productive inputs of pond fish production on the output of fish in Owerri 
Agricultural Zone of Imo State, Nigeria. A total of forty pond fish farmers selected through a random 
sampling effort were interviewed using questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using descriptive 
statistics and multiple regression analysis. The average age of the fish farmers was 59.7 years, majority 
(62.50%) of the fish farmers were males, majority (47.50%) of the fish farmers had tertiary education, 
average fish farming experience of the farmers was 5.4 years, and majority (85.00%) of the fish farmers 
were married. From the regression result, four regression coefficients were significantly and positively 
signed (pond size, feed consumed, start up capital and stock rate) related fish farming output. Majority 
60.00%, 52.50%, 50.00% and 45.00% of the pond fish farmers reported that inadequate finance, high cost 
of feeds, scarcity of good sources of fingerlings and high cost of transportation respectively were their 
major constraints to increased pond fish production. Hence, for increased production of fish in the study 
area, these constraints must be reduced to the barest minimum. It is recommended that policies be 
directed to the establishment of commercial pelleted and floating fish feed mills, modern fish hatcheries, 
provision of credit facilities, provision of adequate infrastructural facilities and intensification of 
extension services. Government should provide good feeder roads so that this produce can be 
transported easily and cheaply into areas where they are not produced