Economics of smallholder fish farming to poverty alleviation in the niger delta region of Nigeria

Abstract

The fisheries sector is important to the economy of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, contributing to employment, income and food security in the region. Despite its contribution, however, poverty remains relatively high in the region. The study, thus, used farm and household level data gathered from 360 randomly selected smallholder fish producers to analyse the economics of smallholder fish farming as relates to poverty reduction in the Niger Delta area. Using enterprise budgeting, Foster-Greer-Thorbecke and Tobit regression models, we found that fish farming in the region is profitable and the depth of poverty on fish farming households is high. The effects of socioeconomic variables, farm size and assets on poverty were generally negative, indicating several interactions between poverty and the variables analysed. Fish production significantly reduced poverty in the region. This analysis provides a much-needed counterpoint to past policy commentaries on Niger Delta’s fish production systems which have focused mainly on labels such as “small-scale” and “commercial” without expressing its relationship to poverty alleviation.