Aquaculture Technology Adoption by Fadama III Farmers in Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta States of the Niger Delta, Nigeria. It examined the level of adoption of aquaculture technologies by Fadama III beneficiaries and assessed the differences in adoption levels on sate basis. Five fish farmers were randomly selected on multiple stage bases from 18 Fadama Users' Groups (FUGs) amounting to 90 farmers as the sample size for this study (n=90). Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from respondents. Data collected were measured using descriptive and adoption Sigma method analysis. Results obtained revealed that of the 12 selected aquaculture based technologies recommended by Fadama III, the ratio of adoption skills ranged from 1 high: 7 medium: 5 low. The adoption levels followed a sequence of earthen ponds preparation being the highest, and stocking density techniques being the lowest. The overall adoption level was 4.20 which implied that the aquaculture farmers were categorized as medium adopters using the Sigma method scale. It was recommended that farmers with adoption levels at medium and low ranges should be focused upon with more teaching sessions by community facilitators and that other extension workers should emulate the strategies used by Fadama III in developing farmers.