PRODUCTIVITY AND TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF FISH FARMING IN LAGOS STATE

This study examined the productivity and technical efficiency of aquaculture production in Lagos state. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed in administering questionnaire. The study made use of a cross-sectional data obtained from fish farmers in the two zones of Lagos-state agricultural development project. The data were analysed using analytical tools like descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis and production frontier. Technical efficiency was estimated, the scores varied from 0.1 to 0.9 with a sample mean of 0.46 indicates a great potential for increasing fish production in Lagos state through improved efficiency. Stochastic frontier production function models revealed that feeds and operating cost were found to be the significant factors that contributed to the technical efficiency of fish production therefore, the proper choice of feeds composition and operative cost strategy is important to improving productivity as fish culture. The results therefore concluded that only years of experience is the significant factor in the inefficiency sources model. On the basis of findings, the study suggested that government of Nigeria should provide a conducive environment for the establishment of both concrete, earthen ponds and water recirculating system, encourages more citizenry,mostly youth to set up both pond systems in a bid to alleviate poverty status and unemployment rate in the state and the country at large.