Management Information Needs of Fish Farmers in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State

Abstract

This study investigated the management information needs of fish farmers in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from one hundred and ten fish farmers randomly selected from four urban and seven rural wards of the area. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive (frequency, percentage,) and inferential (chi-square and PPMC) statistics. Results show that respondents had average age of 43years, majority were male (64.8%), had primary school as highest educational level (52.4%), had 2-5 ponds, use earthen ponds (55.2%) and had 5-7 years fish farming experience. Information was most needed in hormone identification (x=2.83), fish marketing (x=2.80) and water quality management (x=2.71). Respondents indicated high cost of feed and poaching as a major challenge in fish farming. Respondents’ age (r = -0.233, p = 0.017); management practices (r = 0.209, p =0.032); number of ponds (r = -0.412, p = 0.000) were correlated with management information needs. The study therefore recommends the need for extension agencies to provide robust and timely information in the areas of need highlighted by the fish farmers in order to increase production efficiency and output of the fish farmers.

Keywords: Information needs, Fish farmers, Aquaculture