Authors : C.O.A. Ugwumba and R.N. Okoh
Abstract: The study compared the profitability and returns to scale of African Clariid catfish farming using concrete and earthen ponds in Anambra State, Nigeria. Primary data were obtained from useful copies of questionnaire returned by 204 out of the 256 respondents interviewed for the study. Data were analyzed by means of budgetary method, translog stochastic frontier models and a 4-point Likert scale. Mean net farm income and net return on investment values were N593,314 and 0.56 for the concrete pond farms and N1,122, 586 and 0.75 for the earthen pond farms. This implies that catfish production using either the concrete or earthen pond type of production unit is profitable. Returns to scale values were 2.46 and 0.69 for the concrete and earthen ponds, respectively, an indication of increasing and decreasing returns to scale. Catfish production was seriously constrained by high cost of feeds, lack of capital and scarcity of seeds. The earthen ponds were more profitable than the concrete ponds, however the concrete ponds were in the majority (77%; n = 158). Policy must be channeled towards measures that would ameliorate production problems and encourage the setting up of concrete ponds. Such measures should include the establishment of modern feed mill and hatcheries; the broadening of extension services and the provision of credit facilities.
C.O.A. Ugwumba and R.N. Okoh, 2010. African Crariid Catfish Farming in Concrete and Earthen Ponds: A Comparative Profitability Analysis. Journal of Fisheries International, 5: 14-18.