ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF CATFISH FARMING AND ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO HOUSEHOLD POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN ANAMBRA STATE, SOUTH EAST NIGERIA

The study analyzed factors influencing the potency of catfish farming determined cost and returns farming, estimated poverty status among farmers ascertained contribution to household alleviation in area. Primary data used for was collected using well-structured questionnaire which administered sampled Catfish In analyzing data, descriptive statistical tools (frequency counts, means percentages), enterprise budgeting techniques, Tobit regression model, expenditure approach determining line, Foster, Greer Thorbecke technique z-test were used. results indicated that such as pond size (0.0004), feed (0.6411), labour (-0.0003), experience (0.0105) had influence on . Net analysis result reveals a return investment ?1.51 it implies production generated 1.51 times more income than expenses incurred production, gross ratio 66% Profitability Index (PI) 0.34 every naira earned revenue, 0.34kobo returned farmer net income. This surely indicates cat fish is highly lucrative At 0.05 probability level, calculated z value statistically significant thereby positive alleviation. Based this study, following recommendations are made: Since profitable, government need devote resources ensure best practices adopted further sustainability agribusiness, should be trained how compound different types enable them reduce feed. addition Government increased credit facilities by financial institutions spread out their scale operation