Status of Women in Artisanal Fishery Enterprises and Aquaculture Development for Food Security and Sustainable Fisheries in Lake Chad Basin Area, Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the level of women’s involvement in inland and aquaculture development for food security and sustainable fisheries in Lake Chad Basin Area, Borno State. The objectives were to determine their Monthly income, the fisheries activities women were involved in, and their challenges. The study population was the women fishers in Doro and Baga fishing communities. Multistage sampling technique was used to select two hundred and sixty-five members. Data were collected using interview schedule and questionnaire. Results were presented using descriptive statistics, frequency, percentage and mean. Majority (82.27%) earned between eighteen thousand naira and above forty thousand naira per Month. Almost all the respondents (93.2%) were involved in fish marketing, 90.19% in making and sales of twine (ropes), 86.4% in Net making. The Total percentage contribution of roles performed was 965.28% while the mean percentage contribution of role performed was 68.95%. The constraints faced by the women fishers were rank ordered, 86.8% for high cost of fishing technology, 75.5% fear and anxiety due to insurgency and 74% inadequate credit. The following recommendations were made; Close relationship between the government and various women stakeholders in the community for frequent interaction, Initial capital for startup should be made readily available in form of bank loan or any other women empowerments schemes, Extension agents should be adequate and within the reach of women fishers, Government programs and projects should be introduced with consistent monitoring and evaluation, Improved women agricultural policies and programs should be consistent, Improved quality fish seed and cost effective fish feed should be made available to women fishers in rural communities and Factors such as environmental, economic, social, religious etc. should be taken into consideration on crucial grounds.