Analysis of Marketing of Catfish in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the marketing of catfish in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA of Imo State. The objective of the study was to analyse the marketing of cat fish in terms of cost and returns, the determinants of net returns and the problems facing the marketers. Ten communities were chosen, out of which 3 (three) farms were sampled making up 30 (thirty) respondents purposively selected. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression model. The cost and return analysis showed the venture to be profitable.  Feeding cost accounted for 77.3% of the total cost, purchase cost accounted for 10.72% of the total cost, medication was 6.1%, labour   was 3.97%, water 3.411, while transportation cost and depreciation accounted for 1.79% and 2.22% respectively. The linear functional form was chosen as the lead equation. From the result of the regression analysis, age, quantity of fish handled and amount of credit were the significant variables that influenced income of the marketers. These variables equally conformed to apriori expectation and economic reasoning . The major problems that the farmers faced were bad pricing, lack of access to credit and low awareness. Based on findings from the study, it was recommended that the significant variables that influenced the income of the marketers should be considered in policy issues. There should be improvement in basic amenities to reduce costs and more awareness on the benefits of catfish marketing should be carried out. This can help draw more participants in the production, marketing and consumption segment of the commodity.

Keywords: analysis, cat fish, marketing,