International Journal of Innovative Food, Nutrition & Sustainable Agriculture 8(3):43-50, July-Sept., 2020 © SEAHI PUBLICATIONS, 2020 www.seahipaj.org ISSN: 2467-8481 Famers’ Socio-Economic Characteristics, Cost and Return of Catfish Farming in Delta North Agricultural Zone of Delta State, Nigeria *Oyibo, Amaechi, A., Okechukwu, Frances. O & Onwudiwe, Elizabeth O Department of Agricultural Education Federal College of Education (Tech), Asaba, Nigeria *Corresponding Author:
[email protected]; 0815592500 ABSTRACT This study was carried out to famers’ socio-economic characteristics, cost and return of catfish farming in Delta North Agricultural Zone of Delta State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study described the socioeconomics characteristics of catfish farmers and determined the cost structure and returns of catfish farming. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 240 catfish farmers. Primary data were used for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and gross margin analysis were used to achieve the objectives while ANOVA was used to test the hypothesis. The result of the study revealed that 75.84% of the fish farmers were males while females constituted 24.16%. Total cost, total revenue, mean gross margin and mean net profit realized from catfish production in the study area were ₦2,505,128.58, ₦2,670,133.33, ₦725,213.08 and ₦165,004.75 respectively. The return on investment (ROI) for the study area was N1.07: N1. The study concluded that catfish farming was profitable in the study area. The study recommended among others that the farmers should be trained on how to formulate their own feed especially with cheaper feed components to reduce the cost of feed in catfish farming operations Keywords: catfish farming, technical efficiency, , cost and returns INTRODUCTION In Africa, the governments of the continent under the tutelage of the African Union, have identified the great potential of fish farming and are determined to encourage private sector investment (NEPAD, 2005).