ACTIVITY OPTIMIZATION AND IMPLICATION TO RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE KAINJI LAKE FISHING COMMUNITIES, NIGERIA

Abstract

The complexities in resources management of Kainji Lake, which reflect on the economy, environment, cultural and
social life of the people remain a central concern to many authorities, organizations, institutions, agencies and
NGOs, lead to the development of several approaches to address the problem. In this paper, a more convincing
approach using empirical evidences from the field is reported. A model was developed and used to practically test
data on livelihood activities collected from 30 fishing communities in Kainji Lake basin selected using stratification
technique. The result revealed that rearing of free range chicken and livestock are the optimum and best rewarding
activities of the available resources in the rural communities. It is hoped that the result will deter the fishers from
intensifying fishing efforts and elicit them to the realization and engagement in most rewarding activities hence
sustaining the fisheries resources for future generation and improving the fisher’s wellbeing.