Abstract
Catfish production affords fish for people in the country, adds to foreign exchange earnings, supplies raw materials to industries and generates employment. Result of analysis showed that total variable cost per kilogram of catfish produced was ₦316.08 constituting about 96.89% of the total cost with feed cost showing the highest and most critical factor accounting for 88.96% of the total cost. Total revenue was ₦570.12, while the total cost was estimated to be ₦326.19. On the other hand, the gross margin (GM) per kilogram of catfish realized was ₦254.04 and the Net farm income was ₦243.93 while the net return on investment was ₦0.75. Therefore, revenue generated from fish sales exceeded total production costs, indicating positive returns on investment. The following variables: unit price of output, per unit price of stocking, per unit price of feed, per unit price of pond. Others such as age, educational status and farming experience all influenced profit of catfish production at different levels of probabilities. High cost of feed, inadequate capital and poor extension services were considered the most severe constraints faced by catfish producers in the area with mean responses of 4.92, 4.30 and 4.12 respectively. The study recommends following: (i.) any policy that substantially reduces the cost of feeding t should be provided by government (ii.) government should facilitate access to affordable credit facilities for catfish value chain actors, (iii.) investments should be made in aquaculture infrastructure and (iv) processing facilities and extension services should be intensified to promote improved production
Keywords: Catfish production, profitability, aquaculture, profit function,
ICCAES PUBLICATION MODEL.Odok G25A
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