The Influence of Socio-Economic Factors on Adoption of Fish Production Technologies among Community-Based Farmers in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The poor performance of fishery subsector is most clearly evidenced by low adoption of fishery production technologies by farmers. The purpose of this research was analyzing influence of socio-economic factors on the adoption of fish production technologies by community-based farmers in Cross River State, Nigeria. A Multistage random sampling technique was used in selecting 60 community-based farmers. Data for the study were analyzed with descriptive statistics and probit regression model. The result showed that the farmers adopted catfish technology packages such as; pond construction, stocking rate, fertilization of pond, feeding, test cropping, fingerlings production and harvesting and processing. The probit regression estimates of the determinants of farmer's adoption showed that coefficients of education, farm income and extension contacts were positive and significant at 1%. Policies aimed at encouraging farmers' access to extension education and information on fish production technologies through extension were advocated for increased fish production and poverty alleviation.