SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG SMALLHOLDER CATFISH FARMERS IN ILORIN METROPOLIS OF KWARA STATE, NIGERIA.

The socio-economic characteristics of young smallholder catfish farmers in Ilorin metropolis of Kwara state, Nigeria were assessed. Young catfish farmers were identified and randomly selected through links provided by catfish sellers and other catfish farmers within Ilorin metropolis. The data generated were basically primary and obtained through personal interview schedule with a well-structured questionnaire. Data were collected based on the socio-economic variables such as sex, age, marital status, educational status, prior knowledge of fish farming and main source of income. The data generated were subjected to descriptive statistics involving frequencies. From the result, it was observed that majority of the respondents were male, within the age group of 25 and below, while an analysis of their marital status showed that most of the respondents were single. Results also showed that majority of the respondents were educated up to secondary and tertiary level and had other sources as their main source of income. The result further revealed that majority of the respondents had a prior knowledge of fish farming before engaging in commercial catfish farming. It was concluded that male and educated youths within the age of 25 and below dominate the cat fish farming enterprise among youths in Ilorin metropolis. The establishment of fish ponds and clusters of young fish farmers with a relevant education on fish nutrition and production in secondary schools across Kwara state was therefore recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]