Resource Productivity in Small-Scale Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus) Farming in Rivers State, Nigeria: A Translog Model Approach

Abstract

This study employed the Translog form of Stochastic Frontier Production Function in empirical analysis of efficiency of resource-use among rural fish farmers in Rivers State, Nigeria. Thirty (30) fish farmers each were randomly selected from three (3) Local Government Areas giving a total sample of 90 farmers. Three inputs significantly determined the production efficiencies of the farms in the area. Fish feeds had the greatest elasticity (1.59%) followed by farm size (stock size) with elasticity of 0.47 % followed and capital (0.88). Production elasticity estimates indicated that the farmers were experiencing increasing returns to scale (2.66). Significant inefficiency determinants recorded were farm area and water supply system. The mean efficiency of the farms was 71%. The study concluded that the productivity of the factors can be improved by purchasing high quality fingerlings, training existing staff or employing more skilled labour, and also through utilization of the capital on high quality feeds among other managerial improvement strategies such as farm area expansion.