Abstract

Small-scale fish farming is a major contributor to food security, income generation, and rural livelihoods in South-South Nigeria, yet productivity levels remain suboptimal despite the region’s favourable ecological conditions. This study examined the determinants of productivity among small-scale fish farmers across five South-South states—Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta, Edo, and Cross River. A descriptive and analytical survey design was adopted, involving 200 respondents selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis with SPSS. Findings reveal that productivity among small-scale fish farmers is moderate but inefficient (mean = 2.62), with output efficiency relatively low (mean = 2.48). Regression results show that technical skill (β = 0.41), access to credit (β = 0.37), feed cost efficiency (β = 0.33), pond infrastructure (β = 0.29), and extension services (β = 0.26) significantly influence productivity, with the model explaining 69% of the variation (R² = 0.69, p < 0.05). Key constraints include high feed costs, limited access to credit, inadequate technical skills, disease outbreaks, and poor infrastructure. The study concludes that productivity in small-scale fish farming is structurally constrained and largely driven by human capital, financial access, and input efficiency rather than scale of operation. It recommends targeted interventions in farmer training, credit access, feed subsidy programs, extension strengthening, and infrastructure development to enhance aquaculture productivity and sustainability in the region