SYMMETRIC DETERMINATION OF THE SEVERITY OF PRODUCTIVITY CONSTRAINTS OF FISH FARMERS IN THE TROPICS: A CASE STUDY OF THE NIGER DELTA REGION, NIGERIA

The study was conducted to fi ll the gap in the dearth of information on systematic approach to ascertain the severity as well as the magnitude of the constraints responsible for the sub-optimal operation of fi sh farming in Nigeria. 120 randomly selected fish farmers from a list of 186 fi sh farmers in the state were interviewed. Participatory appraisal technique and econometric technique were adopted to ascertain the most severe major constraints and also the severity index of each of the sub-constraints that are responsible for the sub-optimal aquaculture operation in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and the cause of withdrawal from aquaculture by some fi sh farmers. The sub-constraints severity within the major constraints, across the region gave more insight into the causes of the high rate of withdrawals from aquaculture and the decline in aquaculture productivity in the region. How productive the regional aquaculture would be, even in the nearest future, would depend to a large extent on these major factors: production, marketing and advancement in related technology. Unless pragmatic approach is used to reduce the constraints responsible for the high rate of withdrawal, fi sh food security in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria would still be elusive