Effects of adoption of fish production technologies on food security status of farmers in Umuahia agricultural zone of Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analysed the effects of adoption of fish production technologies on the food security status of farmers in Umuahia Agricultural zone of Abia State, Nigeria. Proportionate sampling was used to select ninety-one (91) fish, farmers. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics, Tobit regression, and Z-test analyses. The results showed that, majority (74.72%) of fish farmers were males with a mean age of 42.5 years, mean household size of six (6) persons, 68.83% acquired secondary education with a mean annual on-farm income of ₦291,774.00, and mean cooperative membership of 4.4years. Majority (70.32%) of the fish farmers sourced information from fellow farmers; most (62.64%) reared fish in movable  tarpaulin with medium-sized ponds (49.48%) and had high adoption (x̄ = 3.7) of fish production technologies. Tobit analysis result showed that, age (β = - 0.6579), education (β= 0.3990), farm income (β= 0.3765), occupation (β= 0.3472), pond size (β = - 0.5899), household size (β= 0.3245), farming experience (β= 0.7647) and membership of cooperative societies (β = 0.6745) influenced farmers’ adoption of fish production technologies. Z-test results showed a difference in mean food security status for farmers before and after the adoption of fish production technologies at a 1.0% level of probability. Based on the results from this study, fish farmers adopted fish production technologies as they increased their food security status.