Economics Analysis of Catfish Production in Anambra State, Nigeria

The study was on economics of catfish production in Anambra State of Nigeria. Structured questionnaire and oral interview were administered on sixty catfish farmers selected from the state. Percentage response was used to determine the farmers\u27 socioeconomic characteristics and constraints to catfish production. Semi log functional form was used to analyze the effect of farmers\u27 socioeconomic characteristics on their output. The profitability in catfish was determined using gross margin and profit analysis. The result of the socioeconomic characteristics shows that majority of the catfish farmers were male (83.3%) and of the age bracket of 31-40 (40%). Most of the catfish farmers were literate (91.7%) and operated on pond size of 5m2 (50%). The socioeconomic determinants to catfish farmers\u27 output were educational level, farming experience and membership of cooperative. The gross margin of N323,600 and profit of N155,100 were recorded. The gross margin of N322,600, profit of N153,000, benefit cost ratio of 1.40, expense structure ratio of 0:48 and a gross ratio of 0.2123 were recorded. The major constraints to catfish production in the study area were cannibalism, poor access to credit, poor access to extension services, high cost of building material, high cost of feed and poor fish breed and scarcity of fingerling (13.3%). Recommendations offered included improving farmers\u27 access to improve fingerlings and education through seminars and workshops