ABSTRACT
The study analyzed the constraint militating against marketing of cultured fish in Benin metropolis. The objective of the study was to determine the constraints of the marketing of cultured fish in the study area. Oral interview was used to collect data from 90 fish marketers who were randomly selected. The study was carried out in three local governments namely Egor, Ikpoba Okha and Oredo local government which make up Benin metropolis. Nine markets in the three local governments were surveyed, from Uselu, Egor, Useh, Oregbeni, Satana, Ekae, New benin, Oba and Yanga markets respectively. Result from the study showed that majority (90%) of fish marketers were female, 10% were male. Over 80% of the fish marketers were 30 years and above which is their economic active years. The study showed that over 60% of the fish marketers have been selling cultured fish for ten years and above. Majority (95.6%) of the marketers agreed that they sell Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) while 4.4% sell Tilapia (Tilapia spp). Majority of fish marketers (44.2%) in the study area fund their business with their personal savings, 23.4% run their business by collecting fish on credit and payback when they complete the sales. Other sources of funds were cooperative societies (19%) friends and relatives (16%). Only respondents from Ikpoba Okha accessed bank loan (18.5%). Funding, high cost of fish and transportation, postharvest loses among others were identified as important constraints. In conclusion, it has been observed that fish marketing in Benin metropolis is a lucrative business. Although, fishes are marketed in different forms either fresh or smoked, the marketers face a lot of constraints which the researcher has tried to give solution to as attested by majority of the respondents. ABSTRACT The study analyzed the constraint militating against marketing of cultured fish in Benin metropolis. The objective of the study was to determine the constraints of the marketing of cultured fish in the study area. Oral interview was used to collect data from 90 fish marketers who were randomly selected. The study was carried out in three local governments namely Egor, Ikpoba Okha and Oredo local government which make up Benin metropolis. Nine markets in the three local governments were surveyed, from Uselu, Egor, Useh, Oregbeni, Satana, Ekae, New benin, Oba and Yanga markets respectively. Result from the study showed that majority (90%) of fish marketers were female, 10% were male. Over 80% of the fish marketers were 30 years and above which is their economic active years. The study showed that over 60% of the fish marketers have been selling cultured fish for ten years and above. Majority (95.6%) of the marketers agreed that they sell Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) while 4.4% sell Tilapia (Tilapia spp). Majority of fish marketers (44.2%) in the study area fund their business with their personal savings, 23.4% run their business by collecting fish on credit and payback when they complete the sales. Other sources of funds were cooperative societies (19%) friends and relatives (16%). Only respondents from Ikpoba Okha accessed bank loan (18.5%). Funding, high cost of fish and transportation, postharvest loses among others were identified as important constraints. In conclusion, it has been observed that fish marketing in Benin metropolis is a lucrative business. Although, fishes are marketed in different forms either fresh or smoked, the marketers face a lot of constraints which the researcher has tried to give solution to as attested by majority of the respondents.
