Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 24 ISSUE 3
Written by Ruth Oluwaseun AJAGBE, Stephen Olubusoye AJAGBE, Mariam Iyabo ADEOBA

This study assesses the challenges catfish farmers are facing in the procurement of these input resources and coping strategies employed to control them for the farmers to remain in business. This study was carried out in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling method is employed in this study. Three local government areas were purposefully selected among the eleven in Ibadan, Oyo State. The selected local governments were Oluyole, Ido, and Lagelu. Then, the snowball sampling method was employed to administer the prepared structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data obtained. The results show that the majority (86.4%) of the catfish farmers depend on catfish breeders to source their fish seeds, with many having multiple sources to avoid disappointment in comparing costs and best fish seed. Among the challenges identified by the farmers are bad quality fish seeds that result in stunted growth, high cost of fish seed and fish feed, and poor-quality feed which usually pollutes pond water. Many farmers agreed that they breed their fish themselves to ascertain its quality, and stunted fish should be sold early. Farmers increase the cost price of their fish, use homemade feeds, and buy feeds in bulk to cushion the effect of the high cost of feed.

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