Abstract
This study evaluated the economic efficiency and profitability analysis of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) production in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The sampling design employed for this research was a multi-stage sampling technique. A total sample size of 140 catfish farmers was selected. Primary sources of data were used and the data were obtained by administering a well-designed and well-structured questionnaire to the respondent. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, farm budgeting technique, gross margin analysis, financial analysis, stochastic production frontier efficiency model, Tobit dichotomous regression model, and principal component model. The results show that about 70% of the catfish farmers are male, and the average age of catfish farmers was 39 years. The types of fish ponds used include concrete, earthen, tarpaulin, cage, and plastic. The average capacity of fish ponds was 1706 fingerlings. The gross margin and net farm income was 886,250.51 Naira and 865,021.37 Naira per production cycle respectively. This implies that catfish production is profitable. The mean economic, technical and allocative efficiencies are 36.97%, 61.89% and 59.73% respectively. This left inefficiency gaps of 63.03%, 38.11% and 40.27% for improvement. The significant factors influencing the economic efficiency of catfish production include age, farming experience, educational level, fish feed, drugs, fingerlings, and pond size. The constraints facing catfish farmers include the lack of credit facilities, the high cost of fingerlings, the high cost of feeds, problems with pests, diseases, and predators, the lack of access to markets, and the lack of access to land. The study recommended that credit facilities should be provided for catfish farmers at a low interest rate devoid of cumbersome administrative procedures. The fish feeds, fingerlings, drugs, and chemical inputs should be provided for catfish farmers at affordable prices.
Keywords: еconomic еfficiency, profitability analysis, stochastic production efficiency frontier, catfish production, Kaduna State, Nigeria