Economic Viability of Integrated Fish-Poultry Farming Systems in Niger State

This study evaluated the economic viability and productivity outcomes of integrated fish-poultry farming systems compared to monoculture catfish production in Niger State, North Central Nigeria. Integrated aquaculture-agriculture systems are gaining recognition as efficient approaches to resource utilisation, particularly in resource-limited smallholder contexts where waste from one enterprise can subsidise another. Ten integrated fish-poultry farms and ten monoculture catfish farms of comparable scale were monitored over a single 16-week production cycle. Data collected included input costs, feed usage, mortality rates, production output, market prices obtained, and gross profit margins. In the integrated system, poultry manure was used to fertilise fish ponds, reducing commercial feed expenditure by 27 percent compared to monoculture systems. Fish yield per pond in the integrated system averaged 485 kilograms, compared to 432 kilograms in monoculture ponds, attributable to increased plankton productivity stimulated by manure application. Broiler production in the integrated system was unaffected by co-location with fish ponds, with comparable growth rates and market weights achieved. Gross profit margin was 34 percent higher in integrated systems when revenues from both fish and poultry were aggregated. Challenges reported included increased management complexity and water quality management demands linked to manure loading. The study recommends the integrated fish-poultry model as a viable and profitable alternative for smallholder farmers in Niger State, supported by extension training in integrated system management and stocking ratio optimisation. Keywords: integrated aquaculture, fish-poultry farming, economic viability, smallholder, Niger State