Effect of Demand-Driven advisory services components of Fadama II on fish farmers' level of production in Ogun State

Abstract

Smallholder agriculture is the dominant occupation of rural Nigerians It is mainly rain-fed and characterized by low land and labour productivity due to a combination of problems, including poor macroeconomic and sector policies. The study determines the effect of the demand-driven advisory services and the pilot asset acquisition components of Fadama II Project on Fish farmers’ level of production in Ogun state. Primary data was collected through a well-structured questionnaire. Frequency distribution and percentages were used to analyze data collected. Chi-square (X) and Pearson product moment correlations (PPMC) were used in testing the hypotheses of the study.
One benefiting Local Government Area was selected purposively from each Senatorial district namely; Ijebu North, Obafemi Owode and Ipokia. Ijebu. 5 fish farmers Fadama Community Associations (FCAs) were randomly selected in Ijebu North while 3 FCAs, each, were selected from Obafemi Owode and Ipokia LGAs.Fifty percent (50%) of the total number of Fadama Users Groups (FUGs) was sampled. Sixty percent (60%) of members in each FUG were sampled to have a representative sample of 130 respondents. The results revealed that majority of the fish farmers (83%) are below 50 years, 38% fall within 30 – 39 years of age, 71% of the fish farmers are males while 29% are females, (86%) are married, 44% had secondary school education and tertiary education, (27%).,Catfish is bred by majority (93%) of the fish farmers, Over half of the fish farmers (52%) have a fish pond of not more than 300m2 (0.03ha). About 63% of fish farmers possess earthen ponds while 24% have concrete ponds; only 8% uses tank. About seventy five percent (75.4%) of fish farmers do not have more than 2 fish ponds while about 21% have 3 – 4 fish ponds. Majority (73%) have not more than 5 years experience (≤5 years), 70% of the fish farmers practice farming on a part-time basis,70% of the fish farmers practice farming on a part-time basis.,88.5% of the respondents gained highly from the advisory services provided. 79.9% of respondents produced 10,000 kg/ha per year before Fadama -II project commenced. After Fadama-II project, all respondents recorded more than 10,000 kg/ha/yr yield. Marital status (X2 = 2.759; p< 0.05) and education (X2 = 3.659; p< 0.05), were significantly related to the level of production among respondents, while age (r = -0.074; p< 0.05) and sex (X2 = 1.020; p< 0.05) were not. There is no significant relationship (r = 0.190; p> 0.05), between respondents’ participation and their level of production before Fadama II, while a significant relationship exist between the variables after Fadama II. There is a significant relationship (r = 0.0166; p< 0.05), between the knowledge gained and respondents’ level of production. In conclusion, provision of subsidized advisory services to fish farmers will help to boost production through the application of the right knowledge in fish production.

Key Words: Demand-Driven, Advisory Services, Fish Production