Economic Analysis of Fish Farming in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

The study was on economic analysis of fish farming in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. It determined the factors affecting fish farming, estimated gross margin of fish farms and examined the costs and returns relationship of fish farming in the study area. The study utilized a two stage sampling technique to select 36 fish farms in Calabar. The study revealed that the major constraints affecting increased level of output in the study area were high cost of inputs, lack of adequate finance, access to credit facilities, security and farm labour problems. Fish farming in the study area is profitable as majority of the farmers made a gross margin of N400, 000- N700, 000 per annum. It was also discovered that the amount spent on stocking accounted for 37.27% of the running cost, followed by amount spent on water (30.21%), feeding (16.51%) and labour (14.84%). Multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the data. Cob-Douglas equation was chosen to be the lead equation because of statistical significance of the coefficient and high R2 value of 0.94. The result indicated that feed (kg), years of farming experience and stocking density have significant effect on output levels. The study recommends among others, that fish hatcheries and feed mill should be established in the study area