Profitability and Constraints of Catfish Production Among Aquaculture Farmers in Delta State, South South Nigeria

Catfish aquaculture has expanded rapidly across southern Nigeria as demand for affordable animal protein continues to rise in urban and peri-urban centres. In Delta State, catfish production offers significant income opportunities for rural and semi-urban farming households, though the enterprise is constrained by high feed costs and infrastructure limitations. This study assessed the profitability and constraints of catfish production among aquaculture farmers in Delta State. A structured questionnaire was administered to 90 catfish farmers from three local government areas selected through purposive and random sampling. Data on production costs, input quantities, harvest volumes, and revenue were collected and analysed using farm budgeting, gross margin, and benefit-cost ratio calculations. Results revealed a mean gross margin of N198,000 per 1,000 fish per cycle with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.41, confirming economic viability. Feed costs accounted for approximately 68 percent of total variable costs. Unstable fingerling supply, water quality management challenges, and inadequate market linkages were the most frequently reported production constraints. The study recommends promoting locally formulated feed alternatives to reduce cost dependency on commercial feeds. Establishing community-based fingerling hatcheries and integrating catfish farmers into formal market supply chains are also priority interventions. Keywords: catfish production, profitability, aquaculture, Delta State, production constraints.