Methods of improving the quality of fish seed supply to fish farmers in Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Methods of improving the quality of fish seed supply to fish farmers in Benue State were studied. Data were obtained from one hundred and thirty three fish farmers' using multistage random sampling technique. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from the respondents; data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi square to test relationship between the variables. The result showed that 53.83% of the fish farmers source their fish seeds from the wild. Methods of improving the quality of fish seed supply through brood-stock management were culture method (97.10%), feeding (94.10%) and genetic composition (97.0%). The major constraints to the methods of improving the quality of fish seed supply were respondents' technical knowhow (99.2%), inconsistent government policy (99.20%), lack of government assistance (97.0%) and inadequate extension services (97.0%). The Chi square analysis showed significant relationship between brood stock management and methods of improving the quality of fish seed supply (p<0.05). Also, significant relationship existed between methods of improving the quality of fish seed supply and constraints, inadequate water supply, scarcity of feed, poor brood stock management and lack of government assistance. Government should encourage the fish seed production industry by providing infrastructures, formulation and effective enforcement of consistent policies and provision of credit facilities to fish farmers.