Characteristics and Structure of Freshwater Fish Farmers in Ghana: A Socio-economic Analysis

Abstract

This Study was undertaken in all the ten (10) administrative regions of Ghana with the aim of examining freshwater fish farmers’ characteristics and structure. Socio-economic status showing characteristics and structure are relevant and contribute towards the designing of more realistic people centered rural development programs in relation to high returns on projects and programmes. Data was collected in 2016 using a semi-structured questionnaire, loaded unto an online data collection software (Kobo Toolbox) and configured on a tablet. Results showed that the industry is male dominated. A greater percentage of the male and female respondents were in their productive years (36-65 years), highly educated (tertiary level) and married. The main occupation of most fish farmers is agriculture with an average household size  of 6. A higher percentage of both sexes had none of their children involved in aquaculture. Average fish farming experience for males and females was 6 and 5 years respectively with a range of 1 to 10 years. Main production systems is pond followed by cages and the key cultured species is tilapia (Oriochromis Niloticus) with the others being catfish (Clarias gariepinus), heterotis (Heterotis niloticus) and snakehead (Barachana obscurus). A greater percentage of the respondents were involved in monoculture system. Both male and female fish farmers practiced mainly semi-intensive system for pond culture followed by intensive system of farming mainly for cage culture. The number of production cycle is mainly 1 followed by 2 in a year. Sampled farmers practiced semi-intensive, intensive and extensive systems of farming and the three main land ownership categories accessed by fish farmers were outright purchased, freehold and leasehold. Main source of funding for fish farming is self for both sexes. Both accessed their fingerlings mainly from the private sector. A greater percentage procure fish feed from local source while the three main sources of water for fish farming were rivers, streams and boreholes.