Information Needs and Utilization of Fish Value Chain Actors in Girei and Yola North Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, Nigeria

Polycarp, M., Jauro P. and Abubakar M.G.

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension

Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State

Email: markpolycarp@gmail.com,

ABSTRACT

The study examined information needs and utilization of fish value chain actors in Girei and Yola North Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Primary data were used for the study which was obtained with the use of a questionnaire. Snowball sampling technique was used to sample 81 fish farmers while random sampling technique was used to sample 133 fish processors, fresh fish marketers and 84 fish consumers. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. The information needs and utilization responses of the value chain actors include: feeding operation, marketing technique, storage and preservation technique. Efficient utilization of information on different fish technologies among value chain actors will always translate into efficiency in fish production, processing and marketing and help increase productivity.Information is shown to be an important element in creating awareness which generate interest in new and improved innovations in different life’s’ endeavours. The study therefore, recommended that fishery extension services be provided across the value chain and capacity building activities should be conducted for fish value chain actors on how to overcome the information needs and how to articulate their information needs in a more coherent manner.