Abstract

The paper is an investigation of fish farmers capacity building needs on value addition initiatives in Kogi Stale, Nigeria. Data were collected using a two-stage sampling technique to select sixty respondents for the study. A purpose selection of one LGA each from the two ADP administrative zones (Zones A and C) in Kogi State where fish fanning is prominent and well practiced was carried out. Thirty fish farmers were then randomly selected from the fish farmers' association chapter present in each selected LGA. Interview-schedule was used to elicit information from the respondents. The findings indicated that the fish farmers fall into the economically active age group with a mean age of 48.1 years, majority (81.7%) were males, married (88.3%) and had one level of formal education or the other (85.0%). The respondents value addition initiatives use profile was still very low and high capacity building on value addition initiatives were needed in seven major areas. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant relationship between the respondents’ capacity building needs on value addition initiatives and their age, educational level, years of experience and fish farm income. The study concluded that value addition initiatives used in fish fanning was still very low in the State. It was recommended that there is an urgent need to package robust capacity building programmes and advisory services by extension and other stakeholders for fish farmers in the major areas of capacity deficiencies indicated so as to enhance their use of value addition initiatives from fish production to marketing.

Key words: Capacity building needs Fish farmers, Value Addition Initiatives, Kogi State, Nigeria.