Assessment of Fish Farmers in Delta State, Nigeria: Livelihoods Strategies

Calismada, Delta Eyaletinin Oshimili Guney Yerel Yonetim Bolgesi'ndeki Camp 74 toplulugundaki balik ureticilerinin gecim kaynaklarini degerlendirilmistir. Calisma, ureticilerin sosyoekonomik profiline, balik yetistiriciliginin balik ureticilerinin gecim durumuna katkisina, balik yetistiriciliginin zorluklarina ve zorluklarla mucadelede balik ureticileri tarafindan kullanilan stratejilere odaklanmistir. Amacli ornekleme ile, calisma icin 50 katilimcidan olusan bir orneklem buyuklugu kullanilmistir. Arastirmanin yurutulmesinde iyi yapilandirilmis bir anket kullanilmistir. Toplanan veriler frekans dagilimi, dogrusal Regresyon ve Ki-kare'ye tabi tutulmustur. Sonuclar, daha fazla katilimcinin (% 74) balik yetistiriciliginden sosyal fayda sagladigini, genc katilimcilarin (% 62) gecim kaynagi olarak balik yetistiriciligiyle ugrastigini gostermistir. Katilimcilar (% 68), balik yetistiriciliginin daha iyi gelir yaratma ve tasarrufla tum yil boyunca acligi azalttigini ve balik bulunurlugunu artirdigini dogrulamistir. Secilen gecim kaynagi bilesenlerinin cesitli katkilarinin karma ortalamasinin = 1.67 oldugu ortaya cikmistir. Yine, endeks degeri = 0.56 ile, su urunleri yetistiriciliginin gecim kaynagi modeline cok yuksek bir etki katkisi oldugunu ifade etmektedir. Bununla birlikte, balik yetistiriciligine yonelik zorluklar, digerlerinin yani sira, yuksek yavru balik maliyeti (ortalama = 3.54), zayif hukumet destegi (ortalama = 3.22) ve yayim calisanlarinin ziyaret edilmemesi (ortalama = 3.06) seklindedir. Katilimcilarin zorluklarin ustesinden gelmek icin en onemli stratejileri, iyilestirilmis yavru balik (ortalama = 3.42) ve yem tedarikinde isbirlikci toplum (ortalama = 3.12) olarak degerlendirilmistir. Regresyon ve ki-kare sonuclari anlamli (p <0.05) bulunmustur. Bu bulgulara dayanarak, hukumetin gecim kaynaklarini iyilestirmek icin balik yetistiriciligi faaliyetlerine daha fazla katilmasi onerilmektedir.


Introduction
Generally, livelihoods can be described as a means through which people secure the necessities of life, it is a means of survival. Livelihoods are highly dynamic and shaped by a variety of different factors and forces that are themselves shifting constantly. The improvement of livelihoods of people in developing countries is the mission of many public and governmental institutions and is successful when communities experience increased well-being and reduced vulnerability through higher incomes, improved food security and the more sustainable use of natural resource (Department for International Development, DFID, 1999).
From time immemorial, fishing has been a major source of food for humanity and a provider of employment and economic benefits to those engaged in this activity. Fish is an important source of dietary protein, micro nutrients and essential fatly acids for millions of the world's poor and contribute to their caloric intake. In farming activities, livelihood components (natural, physical, economic, sociocultural and human resources assets) play major roles in agricultural advancement, rural growth, welfare status changes, employment opportunities, income generation, environmental stability and governmental support (Okechi, 2004;Adepoju and Obayelu, 2013;Nandi et al., 2014). Fish farming is a subset of livelihood components. Fish farming also known as aquaculture is a vast growing business in the tropics. Africans and Nigerians are beneficiaries of this livelihood and economic sector. The Nigerian government has contributed in budgetary term and human resources empowerment in this agricultural sector. The south-south region of Nigeria are champion beneficiaries of this livelihood (Olaoye et al., 2013;Ovharhe, 2016).
In the contribution of fish farming to livelihood patterns, after a survey in rural aquaculture, Rouhani and Britz (2004) observed that the management of land, water, infrastructure, finances, fingerlings, feeds, human resources and other inputs or capital investment are major pointers food security and livelihood improvement. They also stressed that extension visits and farmers training are part of livelihood pattern improvement.
However, very little precise information about the real contribution of fishing activities to livelihoods and economies in developing countries (Nigeria inclusive) aiming at eradicating poverty are available (Nandi et al., 2014). Delta State for instance many fishing households are poor and vulnerable, and they are likely to be involve in small scale fishing, it is widely acknowledged that small-scale fishing can generate significant profits, prove resilient to shocks and crises and make meaningful contribution to income and food security. These concerns have made the livelihood pattern and poverty status of the fish farmers to become of great importance. In addressing these concerns, the study was proposed and guided by some objectives.

Objectives of the Study
The main aim of this work is to assessment the fish farmers' livelihoods in Oshimili South L.G.A Delta State. Specifically the study seeks to address the following objectives to: i. Describe the socio-economic profile of respondents, ii. Determine the contributions of fish farming to various livelihood components improvement of fish farmers, iii.
Identify the challenges to fish farming and iv.
Examine the perceived strategies employed to reduce the effects of challenges on fish farming.

Hypotheses
The study was guided by two hypotheses: Ho1: Socioeconomic characteristics of fish farmers do not contribute to improvement of livelihoods in the study area. Ho2: There is no significant relationship between livelihood components and fish farming contributions to livelihood improvement in the study area.

1.4
Conceptual framework of the study Conceptual Framework: The livelihood components of fish farming ( Figure 1) is categorized into six headings; namely: social benefits, vulnerability status, employment benefits, cultural benefits, food security and income generation. A nexus of these entities gives rise to a conceptual framework for this study. The Social benefits comprise of willingness to fish farming and group formation activities coupled with the cultural benefits of keeping farming community norms and rules to avoid conflicts and crisis so as not to affect livelihood status.
The vulnerability status involves the women participation, youth participation and indigents. Incorporating these strata of community profile into fish farming is and added advantage to the productivity rate of the men folks which links the next livelihood component of economic empowerment. The employment benefits in livelihood pattern take into cognizance provision of parttime or full time fish farming businesses, a precursor to food abundance. A strong link in this framework is the household food security benefits component which looks into reduction of hunger and fish availability all year round and guarantee income generation savings and re-investment turn around.

Study area
The study was carried out in Oshimili South LGA which lies on latitude 6°34' -645'E and longitude 5°59 ' -608'N (Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban Development, 2003). The area is agrarian associated with water bodies. Precisely, the study took place among the communal ponds sited in Camp 74, a farming community between the Delta State Government House and Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Asaba.
Sampling Technique and Sample Size: The sample for the study was drawn from the population of 80 fish farmers in Camp 74 in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State. Based upon this, a purposive sampling technique was used to achieve a sample size of 63% of fish farmers. This resulted to a sample size of 50 fish farmers as sample size. A purposive sampling method was used because only 63% of the fish farmers had functional and successful aquaculture system.
Method of data collection: Relevant primary data was collected from respondents with the use of segmented semi-structured questionnaire comprising of objectively related questions to the study.

Measurements of Variables:
Respondents' socio-economic characteristics were measured with standard gauge example, age and farming experience were measured in years, pond sizes in hectares.
Contributions of fish farming to livelihood status: This was measured by categorizing livelihood components into: social benefits, vulnerability status, cultural benefits, food security and income generation. The designated weight assigned to the various categories were High = 3, Medium = 2, Low = 1 and Nil = 0. (3+2+1+0 =6/4 =1.5) Cut off mean =1.5 (>1.5 = high contribution; <1.5 = low contribution). Upon these profile, respondents were asked to decide which aspect fish farming contributed to their livelihoods whether high, medium, low, or none as decision making yardstick (DFID, 1999).
Challenges to fish farming in livelihood patterns: A ten-parameter standard was used to outline optional statements from which respondents decided whether their challenges to fish farming were very serious, serious, not very serious or not serious based on a 4 point Likert-type scale with 2.5 as cut-off mark for judgments.
Note: In all the Likert scale computed, an index value (x) was generated. This is applicable to Ofuoku and Ekorhi-Robinson (2018) who generated an index value from a rating scale by dividing the pooled mean with the highest weight in the rating scale. The index value (x) ranges as where 0 < x ≤ 1. Where any index value ≥ 0.5, it is measured high impact in the analysis.
All data generated were statistically subjected to frequency count and percentages and inferential statistical where applicable with hypothesis analysis: Ho 1: Socioeconomic characteristics of fish farmers do not contribute to improvement of livelihoods in the study area (this was analyzed with Regression). Ho2: There is no significant relationship between livelihood components and fish farming contributions to livelihood improvement in the study area (This was analyzed with Chi Square).

Regression Analysis
The hypothesis one was analyzed by multiple Regression Ho1: There is no significant difference between fish farmers' socio-economic characteristics and their contributions to livelihood patterns. Linear, semi-log, double log and logistic forms of regression were used in the analysis. A lead equation was used to make a conclusion based on the following: Relative magnitude of the R 2 Relative f cal value of the models The function that showed more statistical significance The Logistic Regression Equation is stated as Log (π) = β0+β1x1+β2x2+………..βmxm

Socio-economic characteristics of respondents
Results in Table 1 shows that male (76%) were more than female (24%). This implies that fish farming is male dominated in the sampled area. The mean age of respondents is about 37 years. This indicates that youths are more involved in the fish farming business.
The marital status of respondents presented in revealed that 50% of sampled populations were single. This, also buttressed the fact that more youth are involved in the business of fish farming as a source of livelihood. The educational qualification of the respondents revealed that a greater population (38%) of the respondents had HND/B.Sc. as highest level of educational attainment. The mean farming experience of respondents was 4 years. Only 4% of respondents had between 7 and 11 years of experience in fish farming. This connotes that majority (88%) were young in the fish farming industry which was supported by Ovharhe and Gbigbi (2016) in a similar study with the Delta State Fadama III project.
The average pond size was 0.79Ha; earthen ponds (54%) were more in use than concrete ponds (40%) and tarpaulin ponds (6%) respectively. This finding relates to that of Ovharhe et al. (2020) where they reported that in backyard farming, fish farmers have limited sizes of ponds On contact with extension agents, while 26% of the respondents had contact. The few that had contact could be deduced to the degree of cosmopoliteness with respect to farm proximity to the Faculty of Agriculture, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Asaba. Ovharhe (2016) reported the poor attention given to fish farmers in the Niger Delta area. A clarion call upon extension workers attitudinal change!

Contributions fish farming to livelihood status
Facts in Table 2 gives a detail analysis of fish farming in the study area showing the benefits of fish farming with respect to various aspect of the farmers' livelihood pattern such as social benefits, ability to tackle the vulnerable groups, employment benefits, cultural benefits, food security and cash income generation. Ofuoku et al. (2006) commented that cooperative farmers contributed to household food security than non-cooperative farmers which to their higher income status.
On the social benefit of fish farming, it was observed that a high category (74%) of the respondents are willing to practice fish farming; while, an average number of respondents (50%) are involved in group formation activities as a result of fish farming.  reported that the better the cohesiveness in group formation, the better the accessibility to agricultural inputs, assets and farming opportunities. Vulnerable groups of targeted women (48%) are proud of the fish farming activity. Youth respondents (62%) are engaged in fish farming as source of livelihood. Respondents (70%) are into aquaculture as a part-time business venture.
The fish farming has little or no conflict with the norms and values of the community where they operate as only 6% conflict with customs was recorded under high category. Respondents' opinion on Camp 74 community being the study as a tourist attraction site was very low, 12%. This calls for an upgrade of the potentials in that locality. Respondents' (68%) remarked that on food security, fish farming reduced hunger and fish availability all year round. Respondents (64%) generated surplus income for banking purpose. Okoedo-Okojie and Ovharhe (2012) emphasized on information sourcing and training of farmers in record keeping so as to manage the cash flow in farm business. The livelihood accrued from the various contributions of selected livelihood component had a pooled mean = 1.67. Again, with the index value = 0.56, it implies a very high impact contribution of aquaculture to livelihood in general. This is a better report than Ovharhe (2016) findings. He reported that aquaculture contribution to livelihood was at a medium scale.

Challenges to fish farming livelihoods
Values in Table.3 shows that the most serious constraints were high cost of fingerlings (mean = 3.54) high cost of fish feeds (mean = 3.52), weak government support (mean = 3.22) and non-visitation of extension workers (mean = 3.06). Meanwhile some other challenge were noticed though they posed no challenges. For instance an absence of storage facilities (mean = 2.28) small pond size issues (mean = 2.14), scarcity of improved breed of fingerlings (mean = 2.00), weak cooperative management issue (mean = 1.92), poor water quality management (mean = 1.86) and low market strategies (mean = 1.76). According to Dibb and Sally (2006) they noted that most marketers believe that a key focus their activities is the differentiation of their product proposition vis a vis competing product and service as aquaculture business is competitive. The pooled mean = 2.53 with an index value = 0.63.

Perceived Strategies Employed to Overcome Fish Farming Challenges in Livelihoods
Entries in Table 4 shows that uppermost in the strategies employed by respondents overcome fish farming challenges were assessed to improved varieties of fingerlings (mean = 3.42), inclusion of government agricultural activities (mean = 3.36), conduct of regular fish farming training (mean = 3.18), inclusion cooperative society in feed supply (mean = 3.12) and linkage to extension agencies (mean = 3.04). The use of middle men to market products (mean = 1.44). This low response connotes that it as an unimportant strategy like other ones. Therefore, middle men are not necessary for fish business in the study area. The result agrees with the findings of Mwangi (2008) that the small enterprise fish farming success does not need middle agents rather needs for strong markets, cooperatives, access to seed, feed, credit and transport and a focus on profit. The pooled mean = 2.93 and index value = 0.73.

Results of hypothesis
Ho1: Socioeconomic characteristics of fish farmers do not contribute to improvement of livelihoods in the study area.
The result in Table 5 shows that socio economic characteristics had significant effects on fish farming contribution to livelihood p< 0.05. The R 2 = 0.421 implies that 42.1% variation in farmers contribution to livelihood is accounted for changes in the socioeconomic characteristics of famers in the area.
Among the nine (9) socio economic characteristics regressed, five (5) where found significant p< 0.05. Educational qualification of the respondents is significant (p=0.011, p<0.05, b 0.66) with the estimated intercept of 0.66 implies that a ten-unit increase in education will lead to more than 66% change in livelihood, farming experience is significant (p=0.036, p< 0.05, b 0.32) with the estimated intercept of 0.32 implies that a ten-unit increase in farming experience will lead to more than 32% change in livelihood. Number of fish stocked is significant (p=0.04, p<0.05, b 0.792) with the estimated intercept of 0.792 implies that a ten unit increase in number of fish stocked will lead to more than 79.2 % change in livelihood. Management system used is significant (p= 0.054, p<0.05, b 0.239) with the estimated intercept of 0.239 implies that a ten unit improvement in management system adopted will lead to more than 23.9% change in livelihood, Type of pond used is significant (p=0.018, p< 0.05 b 0.207) .With the estimated intercept of 0.207 implies that a ten unit improvement in types of pond will lead to more than 20.7 % change in livelihood. Fish stock is significant (p= 0.026, p<0.05, b 0.38). With the estimated intercept of 0.38 implies that a ten unit increase in education will lead to more than 38% change in livelihood. Note: *Significant at p<0.05 The result of the second hypothesis: Ho2: There is no significant relationship between livelihood components and fish farming contributions to livelihood improvement in the study area. Findings in Table 6 there is a significant relationship between farmer's livelihood and contribution of fish farmer p<0.05. The breakdown is as follows: Social benefits have a significant relationship with farmers contribution to livelihood in the study area p<0.05, X 2 39.64>X 2 tab 9.34 in terms of group. Vulnerability status has a significant relationship with fish farmers contribution to livelihood p = 0.002, p<0.05 and X 2 cal, 12.52, 20.88 > X 2 tab 9.34. Employment status has significant relationship with farmers contribution to livelihood in the area p<0.05, X 2 cal 31.00, 17.50 > X 2 tab 9.34. Employment generation contribution to farmer's livelihood in the study area.
Cultural benefits is significantly related with farmer contribution to livelihood in the study area. P = 0.000, p<0.05 and the X 2 cal 23.92, and 10.32 are greater than >X 2 tab 8.34. Food security has a significant relationship with fanners' contribution to livelihood in the study area. P<0.05 as X 2 cal 30.04, 12.04 are greater than >X 2 tab 8.34. Cash income generation has a significant relationship with farmers contribution to livelihood in the study area p<0.05. The X 2 cal 15.68, 42.64 are greater than (>) the X 2 tab. This result agrees with Adepoju and Obayelu (2013) in a study on livelihood diversification and welfare of rural household, they reported that income from non -farm activities as well as income from a combination of non -farm activities and farming activities impacted welfare positively.
In summary, the relation between livelihood components and fish farming contributions to livelihood improvement. The relation between these variables were significant at p<0.05. Fish farming contributions was significant to all the livelihood components as improvement was noticeable in social benefits, vulnerability status, employment benefits, cultural benefits, food security and cash income generation.

Discussion and Conclusion
The mean age of respondents in similar livelihood venture was different with the findings of Ofuoku et al. (2006), they reported that less youths were interested in aquaculture in Delta State. In another vein, Ofuoku et al. (2006) repot that more married folks were interested in aquaculture in Delta State.
On educational attainment, Ovharhe, (2019) had similar findings where he reported that a good number of graduates were in aquaculture amongst other farming enterprises in Delta State. The mean age of farmers in aquaculture was justified in a similar findings by Ovharhe and Gbigbi (2016). They reported that youths were more interested in fish farming enterprise as source of livelihood. Ofuoku et al. (2006) and  agreed with the findings that social benefits and empowerment of vulnerable groups contribute to livelihoods of farmers. Currently, the study area is occupied with many fish farmeing activities. Rouhani and Britz, (2004) reported that women and youth folks played active contribution to rural livelihoods in the aquaculture sector.
Various challenges faced the fish farmmers as enlighted it the results. This implies that the challenges facing fish farmers were though slightly high but could easily be managed to ensure productivity. Mwangi (2008) emphasized that fish farmers can surmount challenges when favourable attention are given to their felt needs by government or other donor agencies. Again, the strategies employed to overcome the challenges were tactful. This suggest that the proposed strategies had high impacts to manage the livelihood constraints of respondents.
Based on the findings, the study concluded that males were more than females in fish farming with respect to fish farmers' contributions to livelihoods. Majority were single youths. A greater population of the respondents had tertiary degree. Less than 1 hectare earthen ponds sizes were more in use than other types of ponds in stocking. Fish farming contributed to livelihood through social and cultural benefits, youth and women participation, part-time and full time business towards food security and income generation. The study discovered that the challenges facing fish farming livelihood pattern were high and the proposed strategies to overcome these challenges were important. Thus, it was ascertained that fish farming contributed to livelihood improvement in the study area.
In an attempt to sustain fish farmers' contributions to livelihoods in the study area and its environs, the study recommends the following that: • More efforts should be given to sourcing and availability of improved varieties of fingerlings, • There should be greater inclusion of government agricultural activities, • Regular conduct of fish farming training sessions should be upheld, • To reduce cost of feeds, there should be inclusion of cooperative society synergy in feed supply, • Urgent needs should be made to link fish farmers and extension agencies for greater productivity and marketability of produce.