The main objectives of the study was to estimate the cost and returns of small – scale cat fish farming in the study area. Data obtained with the aid of structural questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics to describe the socio-economics characteristics of respondents and gross margins analysis model was used in estimation of cost and returns of small scale cat fish farming. Multi-stage sampling techniques were used in the random selection of small-scale cat fish farmers in the area of study. Small-scale cat fish farming is done on part-time basis and most respondents were in their productive mean age of 41 years with secondary level of education. Most households were headed by male and married households with average household size of 10 persons. Respondents have a gross margin and business net returns of N174,000 and N119,400 respectively, signifying that small-scale fish farming is profitable. The benefit cost ratio was 1.34 signifies that for every one naira invested, a profit of 34k (N0.34) was realized from its sales. The study recommends that Government should enact policies that will subsidized cat fish farmers’ inputs at affordable rate. It also recommends that fish farmers’ awareness campaign should be carried out.
Keywords: Cat fish, cost and returns, farming, small-scale
