Profitability and determinants of output in catfish (Clarias gariepinus) production in South-East, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the profitability and determinants of output in catfish production in Southeast, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to estimate the costs and returns of catfish production, identify the determinants of output of catfish production, and identify the constraints faced by catfish farmers in the area. Multi-stage and snowballing sampling procedures were adopted in the selection of 384 respondents who participated in the study. The results showed that the gross margin, net income, return on investment, capital turn-over/benefit cost ratio and gross ratio were N452.64, N439.39, 34.4, 1.34 and 0.74 respectively (per kg of fish). In comparison, the total revenue showed a significant difference from the total cost at 1% level of probability indicating a significant profit level. The findings on the production function revealed that only quantity of fingerlings and quantity of fuel had significant impacts on the quantity of output, while the cost function showed that quantities of fingerlings, fuel, labour and feed had significant impacts on the total cost of production. Lastly, high cost of feed, high cost of fuel & poor electricity, insufficient finance/capital, and poor quality of feed ranked 1st to 4th among constraints militating against catfish production in the area.