Incidence of Poverty among Fish Farming Households in Oyo and Osun States of Nigeria

Abstract

The objective of the study is to analyse poverty among fish farming households based on functioning and capabilities in the study area. The study covered both Oyo and Osun states of Nigeria. Primary data were collected via structured questionnaire. The study employed multistage sampling technique. In all, a total of 280 respondents were used for the study. Information on dimensions of functioning, income and expenditure were derived from the data collected. Data were analysed using input distance function and Foster, Greer and Tobecke (FGT )1984 Poverty measure The study revealed that about 16% of fish farmers were non poor, 14% were moderately poor and 70% were core poor. Fish farmers in the study area did not enjoy moderate levels of standard of living (0.35).Moderate poverty incidence is highest in the households without formal education and lowest in the households with tertiary education. Household heads with age range of 31-40 years had highest moderate poverty incidence while those with age range of 41-50 years had highest core poverty incidence. Household heads that were divorced /separated had highest moderate poverty incidence while those that were married had highest core poverty incidence. Household heads that had no formal education had the highest poverty intensity of 60%. Household head with the age group of 41-50 years had the highest poverty intensity of 43%. Household heads with household size above ten members had the highest poverty intensity of 61%. Household heads that were married had the highest poverty intensity of 98%. Mean values for many constituents of standard of living reveals that the total durable asset dimension scores highest followed by education, housing condition and per capita income dimensions.

Key words: Core poor, moderately poor, poverty incidence, poverty intensity