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¹ Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa, Nigeria
² Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Economics and Extension Programme), Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
³ Department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
⁴ Centre for Development Assistance Management, Partnership and Training Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria DOI : 10.4194/1303-2712-v19_4_06 Viewed : 5780 - Downloaded : 9596 The fisheries sector is important to the economy of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, contributing to employment, income and food security in the region. Despite its contribution, however, poverty remains relatively high in the region. The study, thus, used farm and household level data gathered from 360 randomly selected smallholder fish producers to analyse the economics of smallholder fish farming as relates to poverty reduction in the Niger Delta area. Using enterprise budgeting, Foster-Greer-Thorbecke and Tobit regression models, we found that fish farming in the region is profitable and the depth of poverty on fish farming households is high. The effects of socioeconomic variables, farm size and assets on poverty were generally negative, indicating several interactions between poverty and the variables analysed. Fish production significantly reduced poverty in the region. This analysis provides a much-needed counterpoint to past policy commentaries on Niger Delta`s fish production systems which have focused mainly on labels such as `small-scale` and `commercial` without expressing its relationship to poverty alleviation. Keywords : Fish farming, Niger Delta, Management System, Profitability, Poverty and Determinants