DETERMINANTS OF SUSTAINABLE INCOME GENERATION AMONG FISH PROCESSORS IN ABEOKUTA METROPOLIS, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

This study was carried out to assess determinants of sustainable income generation among fish processors in Abeokuta Metropolis, Ogun State, Nigeria. Eighty fish processors were randomly selected from five communities. Data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that majority (71.3%) used traditional kiln for processing their fish while 23.7% fried fish in hot vegetable oil. Respondents sourced credit from personal savings (48.8%), cooperatives (27.5%), and friends and family (17.5%) for fish processing activities. Respondents generated an average monthly income (gross profit) of ₦28,000.00 from roasted fish, ₦14,000.00 from dried fish, and ₦20,800.00 from fried fish. However, inadequate processing equipment (95.0%) affected fish processing in the study area. Results of regression showed that personal characteristics of the respondents, processing methods and constraints have influence on income generated at p < 0.05 level of significance. The study therefore recommends that fish processors should adopt modern method of fish processing while subsidized equipment should be made available by the government to the fish processors in the study area.