Effectiveness of Anchor Borrowers’ Program on Fish Farming in Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to ascertain the effectiveness of Anchor Borrowers’ Program (ABP) on fish farming (FF) in Osun State, Nigeria.120 smallholder fish farmers Participating in ABP (PABP) were chosen using a multi-stage sampling approach. Data were obtained between January and March of 2023. Interview schedule was used to collect data on respondents’ demographic characteristics, sources of information on FF (SIFF), benefits derived (BD) from PABP, constraints to PABP, and effectiveness of ABP (EABP) in FF. Data were analyzed using frequency count, percentage, mean, Chi-square, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Most respondents’ were males (75.8%), members of fish farmers association (68.3%), and aged 46.0±9.0years. The FF information was accessed mostly through ABP representatives (x ̅=1.7). Access to SIFF was moderate (63.3%), and BD was moderate (66.7%). Increase production (x ̅=1.7) was the most BD from PABP. Poor access to water (x ̅=1.8) was the highest constraint to PABP. Constraints to PABP were moderate (74.2%), and EABP in FF was moderate (68.3%). EABP in FF was influenced by SIFF (r=-0.15). ABP representatives (r=-0.22), family and friends (r=-0.28), newspaper (r=0.16), cell phone calls (r=0.20) and extension agents (r=-0.21) information source types significantly influenced EABP in FF. The anchor borrowers’ program was moderately effective in fish farming and this was influenced by sources of information on fish farming.