ABSTRACT
This study accessed the current aquaculture production situation in Ikpoba-okha local government area, Edo state, Nigeria. A total of 50 respondents were randomly sampled in the study area. Oral interview with a well-structured questionnaire was used to carry out data collection on 50 fish farmers. Parameters identified include the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, farm management practices adopted, feeding methods, use of phytobiotics/herbal and the constraints faced by fish farmers in the study area.
The results of the analysis showed that majority of the respondents are males, over 60% were 30 years and above, relatively educated, majority had about 1-5years of farming experience, 64% were land/house owners, 62% personally funded their business, while others were supported by friends and relatives and 12% obtained a bank loan. The study showed that 64% of the fish marketers were involved in full time fish farming business, 36% are part time farmers. High cost of feed, inadequate capital, inadequate fingerlings, poor quality of fingerlings among others were identified as important constraints. In conclusion, it has been observed that fish farming in Ikpoba okha is a lucrative business.
