ANALYSIS OF LIVELIHOOD DIVERSIFICATION STRATEGIES ADOPTED BY THE FISHING COMMUNITIES ALONG SHIRORO AND KAINJI DAMS, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study analyzed the livelihood diversification strategies adopted by the fishing communities along Shiroro and Kainji dams, Nigeria. Questionnaire was used to collect data from 460 respondents. Multi-stage and proportionate sampling techniques were used in selecting the respondents of the study. Descriptive statistics (frequency distribution count, percentages, mean and ranking) and inferential statistics (Simpson Diversification Index and Logit Regression) were used for data analysis. The results of the study showed that majority of the respondents were male (82.2%) and were within the age (51.3%) bracket of 29-41years, indicating that respondents were middle aged fishers who fall within the active fishing age. Majority (87.0%) of the fishers were married with an average household size of 6 persons. Simpson index of (0.99) was obtained implying that fishers were well diversified into other income generating activities so as to attain sustainable livelihoods. Logistic regression analysis of the estimates of determinants of livelihood diversification shows that the coefficients of Age = (0.083) and Sex (2.818) were positively correlated with livelihood diversification and were statistically significant at 1% level of significance, implying that a unit increase in these variables will result to an increase in livelihood diversification. Membership of association = (-0.112) have a negative coefficient but is significant at 1% level, suggesting that a unit increase in this variable will lead to an increase in livelihood diversification. Level of education =(0.497) correlated positively with livelihood diversification at 5% level of significance, suggesting that increase in level of education will result to increase in the level of livelihood diversification. Conclusively, the research showed that, fishing activity is an important livelihood activity in the lives of the fishers along the two dams. The study therefore, recommended that as a way of complimenting the effort of the fishers and encouraging the identified relevance of diverse livelihood sources by fisher household, government should improve on the provision of basic infrastructures such as good roads, electricity, health facilities, schools and others. This will improve the variety of non-farming income generating activities that rural households can engage in to improve their income and meet their basic needs of life. Trainings and seminars on livelihood diversification strategies should be provided by private organizations with the necessary support of the government.