Capture Fish Value Chain Study in Yobe State, Northeast Nigeria: A panacea for sustainable development

The study examined fish value chain in Yobe state Northeast Nigeria. Value addition, profitability, efficiency in marketing and structure of the fish markets were assessed using data elicited in 2023 from 640 respondents. Four Local Government Areas in the state (Bade, Geidam, Jakusko and Nguru) prominent in capture fish production were purposively selected for the study. Six major value chain actors were identified and value added per Kg of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) was higher for fish processors (319.3/Kg) while, processed fish marketers had highest marketing efficiency (321.8%). Similarly, raw fish marketers received the highest marketing margin (20.63%) and the gross margin for artisanal fishermen was 272.5/Kg and on average a total 22,891.8 per day. The study revealed that, products flow was less complex from fishing points to consumption and that the values of Gini Coefficient indicated a monopolistic completion in both fresh/raw fish and processor markets. Based on the above findings, it was concluded that fisheries sub sector in Yobe state had the potential of creating more employment opportunities, increase per capital income/GDP and sustained economic development. It was therefore recommended that, more effort should be intensified by relevant stakeholders to enhance the value addition at every node of the chain and there should be policy to maintain the existing fishing sites (rivers) and to also explore other potential areas