Research
Evaluation of Pond Fish Production in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria
The study focused on evaluation of pond fish production in Umuahia South L.G.A. of Abia State. Data for the study were obtained from 40 pond fish farmers using a random sampling procedure. Well structured pretested questionnaire was used in data collection from the sampled farmers. Statistical analysis was accomplished by means of frequency distribution, percentages, cost and returns analysis and multiple regression analysis. The result of the study showed that there is a significant relationship between total revenue and farm size, feed cost, labour cost and cost of fingerlings. The result also showed that the cost of production was N141, 461.08 with the total revenue of N 321,400.00 and the net income of N 179,938.92 per production cycle for an average farmer indicating that pond fish production is a profitable venture in the study area. Despite its profitability, there were constraints to production which included inadequate finance, high feed cost, scarcity of good source of fingerlings and transportation cost. Based on findings of the study, development of good infrastructures and provision of minimal credit by way of public utility for the pond fish farmers could help reduce cost incurred in pond fish production. Given that animal protein especially beef has continued to be expensive yet in short supply, fish production should be encouraged to guarantee meeting the protein demand of households especially the rural poor in the study area by enhanced value chain by fish farmers.
A Linear Programming Approach to Combination of Crop, Monogastric Farm Animal and Fish Enterprises in Ohafia Agricultural Zone, Abia State, Nigeria
Linear Programming technique was applied to farm data of a representative sample of farmers involved in arable crop farming in combination with monogastric farm animals and fish farming. Thirty farmers were selected from three villages within three circles in a chosen block by means of multi-stage stratified random sampling technique. Primary data were collected using well structured questionnaire on resource use and availability, input and output prices, types of enterprise combination etc. of the representative farms using the cost-route approach in Ohafia zone of Abia State, during the 2010 farming season. Data were analyzed using linear programming. The study was to solve a maximization problem of gross margin among combination of existing enterprises by this category of farmers. The programme recommended yam (0.29ha), cassava (0.02ha) and cassava/maize/cocoyam (0.13ha), broiler I – August – December (70.00 birds), fish I (220.00 fish) and layers (205.00 birds) enterprises for an average farmer in Ohafia to optimize gross margin given the available resources. Optimum gross margin for Ohafia was 72.90% greater than obtained in the existing plan.
