Training needs on aquaculture value addition among fish farmers in Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the training needs of fish farmers on value addition in Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria. Data were collected from fish farmers using interview guide. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the data while Chi-square and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation were employed to test relationship between variables. Respondents in this study were male dominated, in their productive ages (mean age of 38) and largely well educated (52% had tertiary education). Important training needs of respondents on value addition were improved smoking technology ( x̄ = 2.61), as well as improved packaging and labeling ( x̄ = 2.30), improved short duration storage technology ( x̄ = 2.29) and catching techniques ( x̄ = 2.20). Farmers’ stocking rate (r = 0.266, P = 0.017) and number of ponds (r = 0.243, P = 0.030) had a significant relationship with the training needs of farmers on fish value addition. The study therefore recommended that robust training programme and advisory services be made available by extension for fish farmers in areas of fish smoking, types packaging and storage material in order to enhance their utilization of value addition initiatives in fish farming.

Keywords: Fish farming, value addition initiatives, constraints