ISSN: 2577-4050
Authors: Gbigbi TM* and Eghagha JE
This study explores the consequence of flood risk on fish agribusiness. Data from 116 respondents were analyzed using various tools such as descriptive statistics, the means of the Likert scale, cost and return analysis, and regression model. The findings indicate that respondents had an average age of 39 years, with most being educated and having around 7 years of fishing experience. The majority were married males with an average household size of 6 persons. Flood events occurred approximately four times on average, leading to significant disparities in cost and return of fish farming. The severity index of flood risk was 0.82%, with many respondents expressing willingness to discontinue fishing during floods. Most fish farmers lacked insurance coverage and government incentives, and many had limited access to credit. Factors contributing to flood risk severity included fish mortality, limited insurance access, income fluctuations, and decreased fish farm output. On average, 1345 fish were lost to flood incidents, with 58.6% of respondents facing high-risk levels. Coping strategies included pre-flood measures like embankment raising and post-flood actions like seeking assistance and applying lime to affected farms. The study recommends joining cooperative societies to improve access to funds and resources and offers insights for mitigating flood risks in the aquaculture business in Delta State.
Keywords: Incidence; Severity; Flood Risk; Fish Farming; Farmers
