Vida Mantey, John Mburu, Charles Narteh Boateng
Vida Mantey (University of Nairobi, Kenya) John Mburu (University of Nairobi, Kenya) Charles Narteh Boateng (Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Biochem Mol biol J
Capture fisheries has shown declining pattern in most parts of the world including Ghana. Aquaculture on the other hand has the potential to improve income, food and nutrition for millions of people all over the globe. This study therefore analysed the profitability and constraints of cage tilapia aquaculture in southern Ghana. Primary data was collected from 206 farmers using multistage sampling. Profitability indicators such as Gross Margin (GM), Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) and Net Fish Income (NFI) were employed to estimate the profitability of cage tilapia aquaculture. The empirical results revealed that almost all (79.61%) fish farmers used their own sources of funding and feed cost (74.89%) constituted the major cost of production. The study further revealed a Gross Margin of Gh�2,550.03, Benefit Cost Ratio of 1.10 and Net Fish Income of 1,247.61 indicating that cage tilapia aquaculture in the study area is profitable. Furthermore, the major constraints identified were high cost of feed, lack of funds, high mortality rate, poor price determination process, poor water quality, theft, poor fingerlings quality, lack of training for farmers and lack of extension visit. The study recommends policies geared towards reduction in the cost of inputs and training of fish farmers. Public awareness creation is also needed to attract investors especially the youth to venture into cage tilapia farming. There is also the need to encourage farmers to form farmer associations to facilitate access to credit facilities.
Vida Mantey is a 35-year-old Msc student in Agricultural and Applied Economics at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. She currently serves as a student leader for international students of her class. She had her Bsc. in Agricultural Technology (Agricultural Economics and Extension Option), University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale – Ghana and a Teachers’ Certificate ‘A’, Presbyterian College of Education, Akropong- Akuapim, E/R, Ghana. She served as a Subject Teacher (Integrated Sc./Maths), Staff Secretary, Asokore S.D.A. Demonstration JHS, Koforidua- E/R, Ghana. She also served as a Subject Teacher (Pre-Technical Skills/Maths/Science), Staff Secretary at St. Peter’s Catholic JHS, Somanya- E/R, Ghana and a Class Teacher, Koryire R/C Primary School, Koryire, E/R, Ghana.
E-mail: vmantey@ymail.com
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