Socio-Economic and Cost Benefits of Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Marketing in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the cost-benefit of catfish marketing in Obio- Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. A random sampling technique was adopted in sampling 60 catfish marketers in 5 catfish markets for the study. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression models. Results showed that all respondents were female within the active working-age of 31-50 years. Married catfish marketers were 33.3%, and 80% had formal education. The profitability of catfish marketing indicated a total mean total variable cost (TVC), ₦68,119.17, the total mean total fixed cost (TFC), ₦2,131.75, the total mean total cost of production (TCP), ₦70,250.92, mean total revenue (TR) recorded ₦181,000.00, and mean net income (NI), ₦137,572.08. mean gross margin value (GM) recorded ₦139,635.83, while the profitability index (PI) 1.31. The variables which influenced the profitability of catfish marketing were age, educational level, number of the sales point, and capital. The high cost of transportation, unstable price, and poor access road were the major constraints to catfish marketing. The source of startup capital was personal savings It is recommended that catfish marketers form a cooperative society to enhance their access to finance and regulate pricing with relevant variables that significantly influenced net income and should be considered in policy issues.