Factors affecting tilapia fish farming in Ondo and Ekiti States, South West Nigeria

Tilapia fish production is not as popular as catfish production. Therefore, in support of the drive of the Federal Government to boost fish production, this study determined the factors affecting tilapia fish production in Ondo and Ekiti States. Primary data were collected from 120 Tilapia fish farmers and researchers using random and multi stage sampling techniques (seventy from Ondo State and fifty from Ekiti State). Most (70%) Tilapia farmers are male, Ninety percent are married and majority (51.7%) has household size with 2-5 members. Gross Margin analysis showed a profit of 11.79%. Regression result showed that cost of equipment, cost of feed, farming experience, household size and pond size were factors affecting Tilapia fish production with 0.28, 0.42, 0.08, 0.02 and 0.00 as coefficients, respectively, and were all significant at 5% level of significance. The p- value (0.742) of the Chi square test revealed that income of the Tilapia fish farmer has no significant relationship with contact with extension agents. The study recommends that agricultural extension services should be strengthened to ensure more farmers receive more visits from extension agents. Government of both Ondo and Ekiti states should provide funds and inputs to boost the productive capacity of farmers.