TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE RURAL ENTERPRISES: ADOPTION STUDY OF INTEGRATED AQUACULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES AMONG FISH FARMERS IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was designed to assess Adoption of Integrated Aquacultural Technologies (AIAT) among Fish Farmers in Osun State, Nigeria. Specifically, the personal attributes of respondents were described, level of awareness of integrated aquacultural technologies was determined, the sources of information on integrated aquacultural technologies available to fish farmers in the study area and constraints inhibiting adoption were also identified. A purposeful sampling procedure was used to select 150 farmers that registered with Osun State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP). Validated and structured interview schedule was used to elicit requisite information from the respondents. Simple descriptive statistical techniques were used to summarize the data, while Pearson Moment Correlation was used to make inferential deductions. The results showed that
respondents had a mean age of 42.5 ± 8.12 years and majority of them (84.30%) were males. It was also revealed that higher percentage of the respondents were aware (60.0%) of the technologies. Also, majority (56%) of the respondents adopted 7-9 integrated aquacultural technologies out of 15 integrated aquacultural technologies introduced to them. Extension agents were the information providers for the respondents. In addition, there were positive and significant relationships between AIAT and educational level (r=0.316) and numbers of ponds owned (r=0.325) at P≤ 0.05 significance level. It was therefore concluded that regular training and capacity building of the fish farmers would enhance sustainable fish farming in the study area and Nigeria in particular.