ASSESSMENT OF FROZEN FISH MARKETING ACTIVITIES AND CONSTRAINTS IN DEKINA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was designed assessed frozen fish marketing activities and constraints in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. Multistage random sampling involved selection of four major communities where frozen fish were commonly sold. A certified list of frozen fish marketers were obtained from their Association, then eighty percent (80%) respondents were randomly selected in each of the communities to make a sample size of 136, data obtained were analyzed through frequency counts, percentages and mean score (5 point Likert Scale). Results showed that 64% frozen fish marketers buy from middle men/women, frozen fish price is being determined through negotiation by the buyers (61.0%), 48.5% frozen fish marketers use vehicles as means of transporting fish to where it’s been sold, 57.4% sold frozen fish in shed; frozen fish marketers made more profits (44.1%) and sell more between January -March (47.8%) while 50% frozen fish marketers started the business with ₦30,000 - ₦40,000 and 45.6% made profit on monthly basis. Political affiliation (????̅ = 3.61), revenue or levy (????̅ = 3.56), transportation (????̅ = 3.53), fish storage (????̅ = 3.47) and capital (????̅ = 3.46) are constraints that fish marketers faced in the study area. The study recommended that Government at all levels should not use politics as basis for benefiting from programmes aimed at improving the welfare of the people.