Yield and revenue of cultured Clarias gariepinus in different enclosure systems adopted in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Recent trends reveal that fish rearing is popular in Ogun State with the influx of new entrants into fish farming due to increasing demand for fish and fish products as well as an increase in awareness of relevant technologies.  The study was aimed at identifying factors influencing the yield and revenue of Clarias gariepinus in two different fish enclosures (dugout and fish tanks) in Ogun state. A three stage sampling technique was used to select 240 fish farmers located in the four Agricultural Development Programme zones in the State. The primary data collected through questionnaire administration was analyzed using descriptive and multiple regressions statistics. Results showed that 47.1% and 39.6% fish farmers adopted fish tanks and dug-out fish ponds respectively, while 13.3% adopted both on their farms. Regression result revealed that agricultural lime and fish enclosure sizes were both significant (P<0.01) for the yield of C. gariepinus at harvest. Cost of construction was significant as a factor for revenue in dugout fish ponds, while cost of construction (p<0.1) and labour (p<0.05) influenced revenue generated from rearing Clarias gariepinus in fish tanks. Cost of agricultural lime was significant at p<0.05for revenue from rearing of C. gariepinus in dugouts and fish tanks. Though fish tank was more expensive to construct than dug out ponds, the fish yield was higher. Wetland (fadama) areas of the state should be developed for pond fish culture to reduce the high cost of construction of concrete fish tanks.