Abstract

<p>This study assessed the socioeconomic characteristics and constraints confronting fish farmers in three agricultural zones of Imo State, Nigeria. Targeted population were fish farmers whose sources of livelihood were from fish farming activities in the study area. A structured questionnaires were administered in a random sampling procedure to a total of one hundred and twenty (120) fish farmers who were selected for the study, with forty (40) farmers from each of the three agricultural zones (Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe) in Imo State. Items on the questionnaires were organized, categorized and coded correctly. Data from the study were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 22.0. The results obtained indicated that majority (75%) of the fish farmers were male across the three zones indicating gender disparities which may be due to land tenure system. The active workforce is within the age bracket of 40-49 years (35%). Majority of the farmers were married and has large family size. In terms of tenancy, it is observed that most of the farmers were tenants in Owerri unlike the other zones. It was also observed that (38%) of the fish farmers possess tertiary education. Moreover, high cost of feed, fingerlings, and equipment, poor infrastructural limitations (storage facility, poor power supply) and poor pricing of harvested fish were the major constraints confronting fish farmers across the three agricultural zones in the State. To address the constraints facing fish farmers in Imo State, so as to enhance aquaculture production, measures should be put in place to reduce cost of production, especially fish feed, as this will go a long way in enhancing the development of aquaculture in all the agricultural zones of the State.</p>