Impact assessment of aquaculture technology on income of homestead fish farmers in Kainji Lake Basin

Abstract

The need to make Nigeria self sufficient in fish production necessitated the development of aquaculture technology. This technology was disseminated with a view to boost productivity and increase the income of fish farmers.  The present study is an attempt to assess the impact of aquaculture technology disseminated and adopted on income of homestead fish farmers in Kainji Lake Basin. The sample size of 21 respondents was selected from NIFFR list of contact farmers through a simple random technique in New Bussa. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using t-test, frequency counts and percentages of the respondents. The results showed that the majority (71.0%) of the respondents are middle aged, 81% were male, 76% were married and had higher education. The most important fisheries technology adopted by the farmers is natural fish food formulation. Fifty-seven percent of the respondents earned between N10,001 and N15,000 income from homestead farming. Thirty-eight percent indicated high cost of formulated fish feed as the most important problem encountered. There was no significant difference between the number of male and female fish farmers who adopt fisheries technology (t = 0.038, p > 0.05).  It is recommended that adequate incentive and grants should be given to farmers to finance fish production.