An Assessment of Constraints and Potential Benefits of Using Burrow Pits for Fish Farming. A case study of Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract:   The study was conducted between January 2021 and March 2022 in 2 local governments of Kano State, Nigeria (namely: Sallarin, {Tarauni LG} and Kofan Dan Agundi, {Municipal LG}). The objective of the study are to examine the socioeconomic characteristics of fish farmers, estimate the opportunities of the burrow pits fish production systems and identify the problems facing fish farmers in the study areas. Primary data was collected through well-structured copies of questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage and mean scores), table, narrative and pictorial formats and results discussed. Specifically, the results showed that majority of the respondents (53.8%) and (23.1%) were within the active age range of 20 – 30 and 31 – 40 years, in addition, =N=12,900 contributions from single harvest makes burrow pits production systems profitability entity. The main opportunities of burrow pits are availability of water, simple management techniques, presences of fish markets, and availability of land suitable for aquaculture. On the other hand, the main constraints identified are lack of quality fry, water quality maintenance and burrow – pit ownership, the mode of operation of the fish farmers has remained rudimentary for several decades. The study concludes on an optimistic note for a better development of aquaculture in the State with positive professional policy measures for production and marketing.

Keywords:  Burrow pits; Constraints; Fish Farming; potential; Kano State, Nigeria.