ASSESSMENT OF FISHERIES EXTENSION SERVICES NEEDED BY THE FISHER FOLKS IN DONGA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed fisheries extension services needed by the fisher forks in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State. Purposive sampling method was used to select three fishing communities that have large number of fisher folks, fifty percent respondents were randomly selected from each of the fishing communities respectively which made up the total sample size of 115 respondents. Data were collected through structured questionnaire and scheduled interview while descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were used for the analysis. The results revealed that 71.3% of the fisher folks were male, age of 26-30 years were 37.4%, 44.3% were married, 55.7% were illiterates, family size of 1- 5 were 36.9% and 39.1% had fishing experience of 1-5 years. About 55% fisher folks preferred fishing in the morning, 40% during the dry season, and 45.2% purchased their fishing gear, cast net 32.2% and dugout canoe with paddle 43.5% were mostly used for fishing. Training on use of modern smoking kiln 95.7%, training on use of any fishing gear 93.0% and information on the purchase of fishing input 93.0% were major extension services needed by the respondents. Constraints indentified among the fisher folks include high cost of fishing input 98.3%, seasonality of water volume 98.3%, 98.3% and inadequate processing facilities 98.3%. It was recommended that Government should provide funds in form of loan at a reduced interest rate to the fisher folks and more extension agents should be employed, mobilized and organize timely training for the fisher folks.