Resource Optimization in Small-Scale Fish Farming in Minna Agricultural Zone of Niger State, Nigeria

The paper examined resource optimization in small-scale fish production in Niger State, Nigeria, using traditional response approach. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed in selecting 65 fish farmers drawn from the sampling frame obtained from Agricultural Development Project (ADP) contact farmers in two local government areas, namely Bosso and Chanchaga LGAs’ respectively. Regression results indicated that feeds, fingerlings, water, depreciation on capital items and labour were significant determinants of output in fish production. Production elasticity estimates indicated that the farmers were in stage 1 of the production process, with a return to scale of 1.162. These estimates indicate the existence of intervention points for relevant stakeholders in bourgeoning fish business in Niger state. The index of resource-use efficiency revealed that fish farmers were inefficient in the allocation of productive resources with an allocative efficiency index of 8.0, 1.3, 0.000, -15.3 and 301.1 for feeds, fingerlings, water, and depreciation on capital items and labour respectively. This, in addition to enhanced access to current technical and price information by farmers, will raise output and net returns in small-scale fish farming enterprises.