Livelihood Characteristics of the Fish Farmers in Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• John Oluwaseun Ifabiyi ¹
• Raufu Olushola Sanusi ¹
• Sola Emmanuel Komolafe ²

¹ Phoenix University Agwada, Nigeria

² University of Ilorin, Nigeria

10.22067/jrrp.v13i2.2307-1105

Abstract

Purpose- Fish farming is an important source of Livelihood and nutrition for several people involved in fishing activities in Nigeria. This study aims to assess the Livelihood characteristics of the fish farmers in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach- The study was carried-out in Ilorin Kwara State, Nigeria. Ilorin is the Capital of Kwara State. The Research involved a 3-stage sampling procedure. The first stage involved a purposive selection of two (Ilorin East and Ilorin West) Local Government Areas in Ilorin due to the prevalence of fishing activities in the area. The second stage involved a purposive selection of five fishing settlements along the river bank in each of the two local Government Areas and the third stage involved the random selection of ten fish farmers within the fishing settlements. A total of 150 fish farmers were randomly selected for this research work. Descriptive statistics such as frequency count, percentage, and mean were employed to analyze the data. The questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection.
Findings Findings: The findings showed that involvement in other income-generating activities (mean=3.81) was the highest-ranked financial asset. Owned/leased fish ponds (mean=3.51) was the highest-ranked physical asset. The ability to network with the extension agents/experts for fish production (mean=3.61) was the highest-ranked social asset. Physically fit to carry out the fish production activities (mean=3.73) was the highest-ranked human asset. Access to water for fish production (mean=3.70) was the highest-ranked natural asset. The overall Livelihood status of the fish farmers was High (mean=3.38).
Originality/value: This study is important as it would provide up-to-date information on the livelihoods of fish farmers which would drive the governments’ policy and interventions towards the fish farmers in Nigeria.  Also, the Agricultural extension programme aimed to improve fish farmers’ livelihood outcomes in fish production in Kwara State, Nigeria should improve their skills and information on areas of need which include pond water treatment, construction, and maintenance were the leading information needed by fish farmers, and to help the fish farmers overcome the factors limiting their production. 

Keywords

• Livelihood
• Status
• Characteristics
• Fish Farmers
• Nigeria

Main Subjects

• Rural Studies

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