Fish farmers’ adoption of improved management practices in Ogun state, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the adoption of Improved Management Practices (IMPs) among fish farmers in Ogun state,
Nigeria. A structured interview schedule was utilized in obtaining information from 108 respondents. Means,
frequency and percentage were used in describing the data, while chi-square and Pearson Product Moment
Correlation (PPMC) were used in testing the hypotheses. The study reveals that majority (83.3%) were within
the age range of 35-45 years, and mostly males (54.6%). Most respondents (58.3%) were married, had primary
(36.1%) and secondary (13.9%) education. Majority (55.6%) of the respondents had farming experience of 1-5
years, feed their fishes with both local (38.0%) and improved feeds (30.6%). Most respondents (61.1%) were
small scale farmers and earned #51,000 - #100,000 as annual income. Inadequate capital (75.0%), poverty
(51.9%) and paper policy of government (49.1%) were identified as severe constraints militating against
respondents' adoption of IMPs. Rate of adoption of IMPs among fish farmers in the study area was high for
(59.3%) of the respondents. There were significant relationship between farmers’ experience (x2=10.908,
p=0.004) constraints (r=0.359, p=0.000) and adoption of IMPs. It is recommended that fish farmers should be
encouraged and mobilized to form cooperative groups in order to gain easy access to credit. Extension agent
should organise special training in on-farm feed formulating for fish farmers for attainment of cheaper feeds
using locally available feedstuffs.