CURRENT AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION SITUATION IN EDO STATE: A CASE STUDY OF EGOR LOCAL GOVERNEMNT

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the Aquaculture production situation in Egor South West Local Government of  Edo state.  The objectives were to determine the socioeconomic characteristics of fish farmers, identify management practices adopted by fish farmers, estimate fish production output in the study area and identify the challenges faced by fish farmers in the study area. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to choose the study participants. The results were presented on tables and charts. Results show that majority of the fish farmers were male, married and within their active age(30-49). Most of the fish farmers got funds from personal savings as they were majorly small scale catfish farmers. Results also show the various farm management activities carried out by the farmers. Concrete, plastic and tarpaulin tanks were used to culture their fish; and Claris gariepinus was the most predominant species found in the study area. Spot feed method was used to feed fish; and artificial and natural feeds were fed .Drug was used to treat the fish. Results also show the major reason for the choice of culture species of fish in the study area  and was mainly was because of consumer preferences. The major constraints faced in the study area were inadequate market, poor quality fish feed, over stocking, under stocking, poor quality fingerling, inadequate fingerlings and fish disease. . In conclusion, catfish production holds great potential for economic growth, but it requires a lot of financial power to start as majority of the cost of production goes into feeding.  This is compounded by the inability of the farmers to have access to financial assistance as demonstrated by the result of the study. It is  therefore recommended that there is need for training to enhance capacity of fish farmers in the area to compound fish feed themselves in order to increase aquaculture  production.