Fish Farmers’ Access to Extension Information in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Fish farmers’ access to extension information in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State was investigated total of 120 fish farmers were interviewed. Frequency counts, percentages, PPMC and chi-square were used to analyse data. The majority (91.7%) were males, Christians (51.7%), married (58.3%). Also, 58.3% had fish farming experience of 1-10 years. Fish farming was the primary occupation for the majority (68.3%). The majority (95.8%) made use of earthen pond, while 50% earned between ₦50,000-₦70,000 per harvest. Fish farmers’ most frequently accessed information were pond designing and construction (mean = 2.33), identification of suitable sites (mean = 2.38) and selection of fish species (mean = 2.43) while information on sorting (mean = 1.83), sexing (mean = 1.66), breeding (mean score = 1.78) and record keeping (mean = 1.80) were least accessed. The most serious constraints faced by the fish farmers were: long distance to accessing extension services (88%), bad road network (90%) and low extension agent to farmer ratio (83%). Significant relationship existed between constraints faced by the fish farmers in accessing extension services (r= -0.264), number of fishes stocked (r = 0.313) and fish farmers’ access to extension information. Extension information is lacking in the early stage of fish production activities, with less emphasis on breeding. Extension agents should put in extra effort in providing information on every key stage of fish production.

Keywords: Fish production, information, extension services