Abstract
Understanding the resource use efficiency and profitability in catfish production is essential for maximizing productivity, minimizing environmental impact, and ensuring sustainable economic growth in the aquaculture industry. This study assessed the resource use efficiency and profitability analysis of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) production in Kogi State, Nigeria. Primary data obtained through questionnaire administration to one hundred and sixty (160) catfish farmers in the State were analysed using descriptive statistics, Cobb-Douglass production function, efficiency ratio, gross margin, and mean score from the Likert type of scale. The result showed that 68.12 percent of catfish farmers in the State were males in a productive age of 48 years. The major catfish farming practices/enterprise combination include; sole catfish farming (78.75 percent), fish cum vegetable (44.38 percent) and fish cum poultry (40.63 percent). Analysis of the resource use efficiency showed that fingerlings, labour and vaccines were underused while feed, pond and fuel were overused by catfish farmers in the State. The calculated gross margin among catfish farmers is N2, 110,136.01k with a profit of N1, 333,910.54k, indicating the net financial gain from the catfish production after deducting all costs. The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) is 1.32, suggesting that for every unit of cost invested in catfish production, there is a return of 1.32 units in revenue. The serious constraints faced by catfish farmers include; inadequate finance (mean score = 2.88), high cost of feed (mean score = 2.87), inadequate power supply (mean score = 2.66), cannibalism (2.42), inadequate processing experience (mean score = 2.32), and low market price (mean score = 2.21). Among others, the study recommended that, the State government should: implement policies that promote access to quality inputs, provide technical assistance and training to catfish farmers, facilitate market access, and create an enabling business environment.
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