ECONOMIC POTENTIALS OF FISH MARKETING AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN NIGERIA: EVIDENCE FROM OGUN STATE

This study examined the economic potential of fish marketing and women empowerment in Ogun state. Ninety two women fish marketers were selected using the multi-stage sampling procedure. The data collected through the use of questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics, marketing margin and regression technique. The result of the socioeconomic characteristics showed that 56.5 percent had only primary education, 82.6 percent were married and 69.6 percent were between the ages of 30 and 50 years. Some 52.2 percent of the respondents had greater than 10 years experience marketing fish and 66.3 percent were retailers. About 45.7 percent sold frozen fish and only 39.1 percent participated in cooperative marketing. The result of the budgetary analysis showed average marketing margin of ₦6, 280 per week for the respondents and marketing efficiency greater than one which indicated profitability of the enterprise and further showed the potential of fish marketing contribution to women’s economic empowerment. The regression results showed that the variables which positively and significantly influenced marketing margin among fish marketers were the value of sale per week (p<0.01); volume of trade per week (p<0.01); level of education (p<0.05) and participation in cooperative marketing (p<0.05). The cost of fish purchase negatively and significantly influenced marketing margin (p<0.01). The major constraints faced by the respondents in fish marketing in the study area was the high cost incurred in preserving the fishes, huge initial expense, purchase price instability and inconsistent and high transport cost. It is recommended that in addition to the call on government to invest more in fish farming and distribution, fish marketers should be facilitated to improve their educational status and encouraged to participate in cooperatives. Furthermore, policies that will guarantee price stability and improve the microfinance arrangements should be put in place in order to increase the economic return from fish marketing.