Resource use efficiency in small scale catfish farming in Osun State, Nigeria

Resource management is critical to catfish production. Profit is said to be maximized when resources are efficiently utilized. This study finds out the resource use efficiency in small-scale catfish farming in Osun state, Nigeria. The socio-economic characteristics of catfish farmers, costs and returns and other factors affecting catfish production were also examined. A sample of 105 small scale catfish farmers was randomly selected across the three geo-political zones. Data were collected on various socio-economic characteristics affecting farmers' output which include: sex, age, farming experience, level of education, type of ponds used, and the species of catfish cultured. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis and resource use efficiency analysis. The descriptive statistics shows that majority (66%) of respondents are in the active age bracket. The resource use efficiency analysis result indicates that quantity of fingerlings and fertilizers used were under-utilized. However, the findings show that amount of feed, labour and drug used were over utilized. The budgetary analysis shows that small scale catfish farming is profitable. It is observed that there is need for improvement on the technical know-how of catfish farmers through seminars and workshops on resource use efficiency in catfish production in the study area