SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF FISH INGREDIENTS VALUE CHAIN ACTORS ACROSS NIGERIA'S SIX GEO -POLITICAL ZONES

Abstract

Socio-economic analysis of ingredient producers, ingredients suppliers, feed millers, and fish farmers across six
geopolitical zones in Nigeria was conducted using data from 975 randomly selected respondents. Structured
questionnaires were administered to ingredient producers, suppliers, feed millers and fish farmers in 65 LGAs
across 22 States and the Federal capital territory. Data was collected digitally using kobo collect and analyzed
through descriptive statistics. The gender assessment showed more males across sector: 60% of ingredient
sellers, 76% of producers, 85% of feed millers, and 77% of fish farmers. Most were in the active age groups (18-40
and 41-60), with education levels varying: producers and feed millers had high tertiary education (60% and 72%,
respectively). A majority were married (81%-82%) across groups, with varying levels of literacy and education.
Most ingredient producers (68%) farm ingredients, while 14% are formally employed and 18% run other
businesses. Among feed millers, 41% engage in feed milling, while fish farmers mainly farm fish (61%) and 18%
hold formal jobs. Others combine fish farming with small businesses (15%) and waged labour (5%). Farming is
the main occupation of a larger number of respondents supporting the importance of aquaculture in providing
employment for out-of-school graduates and provides vital livelihoods for both young and middle-aged
individuals, with a majority being married.