ABSTRACT

The study focused on the socio-economic determinants of profitability of smallscale fish farming in Anambra State. Data was obtained with a well structured questionnaire from 70 respondents using simple random technique. Data analysis was accomplished through descriptive statistics such as mean, percentage, frequency, budgetary analysis approach, and ordinary least square regression analysis. The descriptive statistics showed that the fish farmers were males who are still stroig and agile, married, educated with small household sizes and are also educatec.. The cost and returns analysis showed that fish farming was highly profitable in the study area by returning N2.61k for every NI:O0k spent. The result of the ordinary least square regression analyses showed that the coefficient for age and labour were positively signed and highly significant at 1% while household size was negatively signed and significant at 5%. The coefficient for gender and marital status were negatively signed but not significant as well as occupational status and education which were positively signed but not significant. The results shown for the constraints show that the major problems the farmers encounter in production are high cost of equipments materials 98.57%, poor electricity 95.71% and lack of finance 87.14%. The results call for policies aimed at reducing the cost of hired labour to make more available labour for fish production as well as encourage farmers to rear fish since it is profitable.