Policy issues and Socio-economic factors influencing sustainable fish farming In Nigeria

Abstract

A major agricultural sub-sector where achieving food security has become elusive in Nigeria is the 
fish production subsector. Demand for fish in Nigeria stands at about 1.5 million metric tonnes per 
annum while domestic production is just 511,700 metric tonnes. The nation spends about N150 billion 
(US$1billion) annually to bridge the gap between supply and demand. Consequently, several policy 
measures have been put in place to stimulate local fish farming. Till date, the results from the colossal 
investment and policy have not yielded the desired results. Hence, this study attempted to examine 
the factors determining the sustainability of fish farming in Nigeria with a view to stimulating private 
investment in the sector, meet national market demand through domestic production and export the 
excess to enhance the income of farmers. Regression and budgetary analyses were used to analyze 
data obtained from 100 fish farmers in ten local government areas of Osun State. The result showed 
that the average net income in the study area was N318,640.75 while the gross margin was 
N
457,327.95. The benefit-cost ratio was 1.5 indicating that for every N
yields additional N
100 invested, the enterprise 
50. The regression analysis showed that experience of farmers in fish farming, 
quantity of feed used, access to credit and size of pond were significant determinants of fish farm 
production in Nigeria. Major challenges confronting fish farming in the study area are lack of access 
to credit, high cost of inputs and poor extension services.