SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF CATFISH FARMERS IN KUMBOTSO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KANO STATE

Abstract

The study was carried out to analyze the socio-economic characteristics of catfish farmers in Kumbotso LGA of Kano state with the aim of identifying the socio-economic characteristics, the contribution of fish production as a source of income generation and the problems associated with small scale catfish farmers in the study area. Three communities were purposively selected based on the availability of large number of fish (catfish) farmers in the areas. Data were collected using structured questionnaires which was administered to 45 respondents were 15 catfish farmers were randomly selected from each location. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages). Results revealed that majority of the fish farmers were males (86.67%) and at their active age bracket (31- 40) and most of them were secondary school certificate holders (53.33%). Thirty one (68.89%) of the respondents agreed that fish farming is the most profitable business in the study area while 55.56% revealed that fish production is the major source of income in the study area. The study also revealed that the major problems associated with small scale fish farmers in the study location were lack of capital (35.55%) and high cost of feed (28.88%). It is therefore recommended that, women should be encouraged to participate more in agricultural sector as their participation is critical to achieving food security and economic well being.