Nijerya'da geleneksel balıkçılık yapan çiftçilerin refah düzeyleri: Etkili faktörler ve sorunlar

Abstract

Aims: Despite the contribution of artisanal fishery to the fishery sector, there is a dearth of information on the welfare of artisanal fish farmers. Therefore, this study investigated the welfare of artisanal fish farmers in Nigeria.Methods and Results: The study used primary data collected from 330 artisanal fish farmers, which were analysed with descriptive statistics, Foster-Greer-Thorbecke index and multiple regression. The results indicated that the artisanal fish farmers had poor access to credit facilities, standard medical facilities, quality and nutritious food, quality education for their children, shelter, drinkable water and environmental security. While the highest share (52.42%) of farmers' expenditures was allocated to food expenditures, only 15.02% was allocated to basic non-food items such as children's education, shelter, clothing and health. Analysis of the relative poverty indices of the farmers showed that the poverty incidence, depth and severity were 0.633, 0.165 and 0.062, respectively. Their welfare was significantly influenced by gender, age, income from artisanal fish farming, income from other sources, access to credit, household size, farming experience and assets. The major constraints to the welfare of the farmers were inadequate credit facilities and a lack of government support.Conclusions: The artisanal fishing households had a low standard of living, poor welfare and high poverty incidence. This study, therefore, advocates institutional support by relevant agencies to improve the welfare of this group of farmers. This could be in form of the provision of modern fishing equipment, adequate and necessary information, modern health care centres, free standard schools and loans at little or no interest rate.Significance and Impact of the Study: This study contributes to the body of knowledge by using the expenditure approach to measure artisanal fishing households’ welfare and the results will serve as a reference point for policymakers to improve the artisanal fish farmers’ and rural households’ welfare.