ECONOMICS OF SOLE FISH AND INTEGRATED FISH-VEGETABLE PRODUCTION AND ITS OPTIMUM INPUTS COMBINATION IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine economics of sole fish (SF) and integrated fish-vegetable (IF-V) production and its optimum inputs combination in Kaduna State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 136 farmers that comprised of 95 SF and 41 IF-V farmers. Primary data was obtained using structured questionnaire.  Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to achieve the objectives of the study. The average total revenue per production cycle for SF farming was ₦600,000 with net farm income (NFI) of ₦360,646. The NFI obtained from IF-V system was ₦661,679. A total of ₦169,188.4 was generated as additional earning for fish farmers who practiced integration. The Logit and Tobit regression results indicated that factors that influence farmer’s decision in the choice of IF-V production shows variation from those influencing its intensity where it does, not by the same magnitude and direction. The dominant enter11:12 AMprise combinations of integrating fish with vegetable are tomatoes, pepper, onion and lettuce (34%), tomatoes, onion and pepper (32%) and fish-pepper (24%). Only three-enterprise combination entered into the optimal farm-plan solution: fish-tomato (67.3%), fish-pepper (25.2%) and fish-lettuce (7.5%). The slack variables indicate that land and feed were used optimally. The parametric model shows that the output was found to increase by 66% when 27.7, 49 and 25 %, respectively increased stocking density, labour and medication. Fish farmers should liaise with extension agents, resource personnel, relevant ministries and agencies to organize seminars, workshops and training on farm plan and inputs sources and enterprise combinations.