Evaluation of Pond Management Practices Among Smallholder Fish Farmers in Oyo State

This study evaluated pond management practices adopted by smallholder fish farmers in Oyo State, South West Nigeria, with emphasis on their effects on fish productivity and profitability. A structured questionnaire was administered to 120 randomly selected fish farmers across three local government areas. Data collected covered stocking density, feeding regimes, water quality management, disease control, and harvesting methods. Descriptive statistics and a Likert scale analysis were used to interpret responses. Findings revealed that 68 percent of farmers relied on commercial pelleted feeds, while 32 percent used locally formulated alternatives, often inconsistently. Water exchange practices were irregular among most respondents, contributing to observed cases of oxygen depletion and elevated ammonia concentrations. Only 14 percent of farmers conducted routine water quality testing, reflecting a significant knowledge gap. Disease outbreaks, particularly bacterial infections linked to poor pond hygiene, were reported by 47 percent of respondents as the leading cause of production losses. The study found a positive correlation between pond management intensity and average annual yield per hectare. Farmers with access to extension services recorded yields 36 percent higher than those without. The research recommends integrating structured extension programmes, affordable water quality kits, and cooperative formation to improve productivity and reduce losses across the sector. Keywords: pond management, aquaculture, smallholder farmers, fish productivity, Oyo State