ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to examine the profitability, viability and constraints of small scale catfish farming in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. One hundred and twenty small scale catfish farmers were randomly sampled from twelve communities purposively selected from the study area. Data were collected with the aid of well-structured questionnaire augmented with scheduled interview and discussion with the respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive analytical tools such as tables, frequencies and percentages. The results of the analysis showed that 90% of the farmers are males; majority fell within the age bracket of 26-55 years. Most of them are fairly educated, majority are married (73.4%) with a mean household size of six persons. The net profit technique was used to estimate the profitability level of the enterprise and benefit cost ratio was used to assess the viability of the venture, while ranking was used to analyze the problems faced by the farmers. The analysis estimated an average operating cost of N267,029.67; an average total fixed cost (depreciation) of N29,689.24 and an average net farm income of N577,367.42. This result showed that catfish farming is a profitable enterprise. The benefit-cost ratio was 2.95 which implied that for every one naira (N1) spent N2.95 was realised. High prices of fish feed and fingerlings, inadequate water supply, communal land ownership, inadequate extension services, lack of capital, diseases and pests were the top ranking constraints faced by catfish farmers. The study therefore suggests provision of conducive environment for sustainable cat fish production through provision of credit facilities, formulation and implementation of proper policies on aquaculture by the government and relevant stakeholders.
KEYWORDS: Cat Fish, Small- Scale, Profitability, Benefit-Cost Ratio, Yenogoa.