Socioeconomic Characteristics and Biosecurity Measures of Fish Farms in the West Region of Cameroon
Derrick Fabrice Ngueguim
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 188, Dschang, Cameroon and Laboratory of Applied Hydrobiology and Ichthyology, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon.
Marc Kenmogne Kouam
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 188, Dschang, Cameroon.
Emile Miegoue
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 188, Dschang, Cameroon.
Claudine Tekounegning Tiogue
Laboratory of Applied Hydrobiology and Ichthyology, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 222, Dschang, Cameroon.
Axel Kouatchou Feumba
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 188, Dschang, Cameroon.
Lynda Blaise Fouepe Zebaze
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 188, Dschang, Cameroon.
Julius Awah- Ndukum
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 188, Dschang, Cameroon and Department of Animal Production Technology, College of Technology, University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39, Bambili, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The study aims to evaluate socio-economic and zootechnical characteristics, and biosecurity practices in cultured fish farms in the West Region of Cameroon.
Study Design: A stratified cross-sectional study using random-number generation method of fish farms and their locations to select fish farms without replacing the number.
Place and Duration of Study: Fish farms in West Region, Cameroon between December 2018 and April 2019.
Methodology: Questionnaire survey and on-farm observations to obtain information on socioeconomic characteristics of farmers, production characteristics of fish farms, biosecurity and preventive measures. Fifty-one fish farms were surveyed.
Results: Most respondents were married (96.1%) Muslims (51%) men (84.3%) with primary school level education (51%) and at least 40 years old (92.2%). Mix fish species farming was widespread with Oreochromis niloticus (100%) being predominant followed by Clarias gariepinus and Cyprinus carpio (47.1%), Heterotis niloticus (9.8%) and Clarias jaensis (5.9%). The fishes were fed once daily (35.3%) with farm-made feeds (66.7%) and showed 7 to 12 months breeding cycle (76.5%). Predation, theft, lack of financial and technical support were the main constraints for fish farmers. Extensive (94%) fish farming was predominant and isolation (66.66%), sanitation practices (94.12%) and traffic control (62.75%) were the biosecurity components adopted in farms. Lack of finance was the major cause of abandonment and poor biosecurity compliance rate (<25%) in the study. Husbandry system, culture duration, pond water source, capture method and religion of farmers influenced (p<0.05) biosecurity scores.
Conclusion: The study presents the first report on socioeconomic and technical characteristics, and biosecurity measures of fish farming activities in Cameroon. It revealed no socio-cultural and religious taboos in fish farming. Farm biosecurity practices can be improved through education and training of farmers on farm practices and biosecurity measures in collaboration with academic and fishery industry partners for improved productivity of fish farms in Cameroon.
Keywords: Cultured fish farming, socio-economic and Zootechnical characteristics, biosecurity compliance, West region of Cameroon.