Effects of socio –economic factors on the adoption of improved production technologies by fish farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of socio-economic factors on the adoption of improved technologies by fish farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the socio-economic characteristics of the fish farmers, ascertain the level of awareness of improved fish production technologies, identify the improved fish production technologies adopted and determine the factors affecting the adoption of the improved technologies by the fish farmers in the study area. Five LGAs were purposively selected for the study because of the concentration of fish farmers in the areas. They are Lokoja, Idah, Ajaokuta, Kabba/Bunu and Koton-karfe. A total of 80 fish farmers (using multi-stage sampling techniques) were selected and information elicited from them using interview schedule. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics. Result shows that the mean age of the fish farmers was 47 years, stocking of fingerlings (93.8%), fish feeding techniques (91.2%), harvesting (81.3%) and pond draining methods (61.5%) were the most adopted technologies. Binomial logit regression indicated that at 0.05 level of significance, there was a positive and significant relationship between education and extension contact. Stakeholders should encourage education and extension visits in order to enhance the food security status of the study area and consequently, Nigeria.