CONSTRAINTS FACED BY FISH FARMERS IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The major constraints faced by aquaculturists operating within Anambra State, Nigeria were investigated between
the month of January, 2021 to December 2021 with a view of proffering solutions to them. A sample of 80 fish
farmers were selected within the four agricultural zones of Anambra using Taro Yamani formula. Field
observation, oral interviews, questionnaires and visits to farm sites were used to access the farmers. The result
on socioeconomic characters of the farmers revealed that there were more male fish farmers (75.8%), average
fish farmers age ranged from 41—50 years (34.7%), with majority of them being married (71.3%). They were
also educated with primary education (48.8 %) and an average household number of 4 – 6 persons (60.0%).
Overall mean for production constraints were (3.32), environmental constraints (3.17), socio-cultural (3.06)
institutional constraints (3.40), infrastructural, financial, technological and marketing constraints were (3.72,
3.72, 3.51, and 3.32 ) respectively, and they all were above 2.5 likert scale indicating they were all major
constraints. Infrastructural and financial constraints were identified as the most major constraints among all of
them and ranked highest with mean range of 3.72 both among the other constraints. In conclusion, government
of Anambra state is advised through the findings of this study to as a matter of urgency embark upon massive
infrastructural development to stem the tide of rural- urban migration among the youths in the state as well as
supporting these fish farmers with soft loans, grants, and other financial assistance in order to solve some of these
identified constraints.