Analysis Of The Use Of Fish Farming Technologies By Fadama Iii Fisheries’ Farmers In Imo State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The study analyzed the use of fish farming technologies by fadama III fish farmers in Imo State. The specific objectives included to: describe the socioeconomic characteristics of fish farmers under Fadama III in the state; identify sources of information of the fishery technologies to the farmers; ascertain the fishery technologies used under the Fadama III in the study area; determine the level of use of fishery technologies in Imo State; determine effects of use of fishery technologies on the fish farmers and identify the constraints to the use of the fishery technologies experienced by farmers. Data were collected using validated questionnaire from 99 Fadama III fish farmers selected through purposive sampling technique. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools, such as frequency counts, percentages, mean scores, Ordinary least square (OLS) regression model, Z-test and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test were used to analyze the data. Results showed that majority (78.78%) of the farmers were male with a mean age 49 years. The average monthly income of the fish farmers was 25, 565 Naira. From the result, extension agents were the major source of information to the farmers. Results also revealed level of use of fishery technologies, only plastic tanks(X =2.72) and foreign formulated feed (X = 3.02) were highly used. Out of the eleven effects listed, ten were agreed to be effective only one was not agreed to be effective. The result further showed the existence of significant relationship (R2 = 0.64) between socio-economic characteristics of the farmers and use of fish farming technologies. Result equally revealed that male and female fish farmers differed in level of use of fish farming technologies Z-cal =2.84 and Z-tab =1.98. Result also showed significant difference in the level of use of fish farming technologies in the three agricultural zones of Imo state. Amongst the perceived challenges of the use of fish farming technologies by Fadama III fish farmers, inadequate finance (84.8%), poor marketing infrastructure (68.6%), high cost of foreign formulated feeds (55.5%) and poor access to improved fingerlings (52.5%) were indicated. It was recommended that the farmers should be encouraged to form and belong to cooperative societies for faster spread and access to fishery innovations and access to credit/loan facilities.