SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF SELECTED PROCESSING METHODS AMONG ARTISANAL FISH PROCESSORS AROUND RIVER GBAKO, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was carried out to look at the socio-economic implications of the use of solar tent dryers and
smoking/sun-drying methods among the artisanal fish processors around river Gbako, Niger State, Nigeria. The
study examined the socio-economic characteristics of artisanal fish processors in the area, being a major tributary
from River Niger. Structured questionnaire was designed to elicit information from forty (40) respondents that were
randomly selected. Analytical tools used were descriptive statistics such as percentages, profitability analysis and
regression. The results showed that 87.5 % of females were involved in fish processing. The profitability analysis
indicated that 27.5 % of the fish processors make profit of between ₦1,001 and ₦1,500. The regression results
showed that the variables were significant at 1% and 5 % levels. Although, 75 % of the fish processors adopt
smoking method as a practice to process fish, their living standard and socio-economic wellbeing could be better if
other processing methods such as solar tent dryers are incorporated. It is therefore recommended that Government
and non-governmental organizations should review the policy of input subsidization and production credit to smallscale fishers to boost their fish business.