Management of inputs resources in small-scale catfish farming in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined management of pre-stocking, stocking and harvest activities of small-scale catfish farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were used to collect the needed information and descriptive statistics was use to analyze the collected data. The results show that earthen and concrete pond are the two major ponds utilized by catfish farmers. The cost of pond construction varied with size, location, soil type and the cost of materials; so most farmers rented their ponds. The dimension of earthen pond varies between 53.51m² and 891.87m² with a mean of 197.34±2.48m^2. The dimension of concrete pond varied between 13.94m² and 83.61m², with a mean of 45.89 ± 8.04m². Many (41.5%) catfish farmers financed their business with their personal savings. Most fish farms are located close to streams for steady supply of water. Most (68.5%) farmers stocked juvenile while 31.5% stocked fingerlings. Farmers fed their fish with respect to their weight, satiation or availability of feed; but majority fed twice per day. Most farmers harvest catfish twice per year. Farmers should therefore know that proper and efficient management of input variables are prerequisite for profitability in catfish production.

Keywords: Earthen pond; juvenile; fingerlings; feed; Water; Profitability