Socioeconomic Determinants to the Output of Catfish Farmers in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.

Socio-economic determinant to the output of catfish farmers in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra state, Nigeria was studied. The objectives of the study are to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the catfish farmers, analyze the effect of the farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics on their outputs, determine the profitability of catfish production and to identify the constraints to catfish production in the study area. Sixty (60) respondents were randomly selected using multi- stage random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire and oral interview were used to elicit information from the respondents for addressing the objectives of the study. Percentage responses, multiple regression analysis, gross margin and profit analysis were used to address the objectives of the study. The result of the socioeconomic characteristics shows that majority of the catfish farmers were male, youthful and literate. The socioeconomic determinants to catfish farmers’ output were educational level, membership of cooperative and farming experience. Catfish production was profitable in the study area with gross margin of N323,600 and profit of N155,100. However, the major constraints to catfish production in the study area were poor access to credit, high cost of feed and cannibalism. The need to enhance farmers’ access to improved catfish fingerlings, adult education and credit from microfinance and commercial banks were recommende