Survey of Fish Farming Practices and Challenges among Farmers in Benue State

Benue State, North Central Nigeria, has a long tradition of fish farming, yet the productivity of the sector remains below its potential due to persistent technical and socioeconomic constraints. This study surveys the fish farming practices, resource use patterns, and production challenges among 150 registered fish farmers distributed across five Local Government Areas in Benue State using structured questionnaires and farm visits. Data were collected on pond types, species cultured, feed sources, stocking densities, management practices, access to extension services, credit, and major constraints to production. Results revealed that earthen ponds were the dominant production system (68%), with Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus as the primary species cultured. Over 60% of farmers relied on commercially produced pelleted feed, while 34% used on-farm-mixed feeds of variable nutritional quality. Access to quality fingerlings was cited as the most critical constraint, reported by 81% of respondents, followed by high feed costs (74%) and inadequate extension services (63%). Only 22% of farmers had received formal aquaculture training in the previous three years. The study identifies a significant gap between recommended production practices and actual farm-level implementation, attributing this partly to the limited reach of the Benue State Agricultural Development Programme's aquaculture extension unit. Recommendations include the establishment of government-supported fingerling production centres and the strengthening of farmer cooperative networks across the state.

Keywords: fish farming, production constraints, extension services, farmer survey, Benue State