ECONOMIC SURVEY OF HOMESTEAD FISH FARMING IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES OF BAYELSA STATE
1Kainga, P.E. and 2Adeyemo, A.O.
1Department of Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology
2Department of Fisheries Technology
Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State
ABSTRACT
The paper
surveyed the economics of Homestead Fish Farming in selected communities in
Bayelsa State. The study was conducted in selected communities in Ogbia and
Yenagoa Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State, based on the availability of
fish farmers as a result of its suitable soil and climatic nature, as well as
the easy access of road and market. The two LGAs both existed before the
creation of Bayelsa State on 1st of October 1996. A three-stage
sampling technique was used in collecting the data for this study between
January –April, 2009 through structured questionnaire, personal interview,
observation and focus group discussion.
Average estimated output was 1, 200 table size fish of an average weight of 1kg each sold at N690/kg. Total
fixed cost and total operating cost was estimated at N377, 150 and N332, 910
respectively; net return was estimated at
N117, 940. Farmers can be encouraged to invest in HSFF in that it
returns N1.17 to every N1.00 invested. Peculiar problems associated with all
the respondents include the following: No access to credit facilities by
genuine farmers; low quality fingerlings due to lack of reliable source of
fingerlings/hatchery; steady rise in price of fingerlings as suppliers are
outside the state; high cost of labour with average labour cost of N1,700 per man day; high cost of fish
feed; lack of storage facilities; inadequate electricity; inadequate land; flooding on earthen ponds;
and lack of political will by government in encouraging the fisheries
subsector.
Keywords: Homestead Fish Farming (HSFF), Economic Survey.