COST EFFICIENCY OF CATFISH (CLARIAS GARIEPINUS) PRODUCTION UNDER VARIOUS SYSTEMS IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA.

This study examined the cost efficiency of catfish production under different systems in Delta State, Nigeria. Primary data collected from 360 catfish farmers (comprising 121 concrete pond, 99 earthen pond and 140 plastic/tarpaulin pond systems) provided useful information for the data analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents. The stochastic cost frontier (SCF) approach was employed in analyzing the effi- ciency indices and their determinants. The results showed that the respondents were male dominated (64.44%), young and active, with the majority below 48 years of age. The majority of the respondents (76.67%) had a form of education that could boost their managerial abilities for catfish production. About 67.50% farmers were working full-time and 38.89% of them adopted the plastic/tarpaulin pond method because of ease of management. The average catfish weight produced was 1.50kg, and the average price per kg of mature catfish sold was NGN ₦ 722.77, with an average cost efficiency of 0.70. The study concludes that catfish production under different production systems is a cost efficient and economically viable venture, with the earthen pond method the most cost ef- ficient (0.72). The study therefore recommends that the causes of inefficiencies should be considered and addressed so as to enhance the efficiency of catfish farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]