Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture No. 2/07
Economic analysis of Nile tilapia production in Ghana
Aloyce R. Kaliba
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, AR, USA
Steve Amisah
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Linus Kumah
Ministry of Fisheries, Accra, Ghana
Kwamena K. Quagrainie
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA/h4>
Abstract
Economic profitability of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
production in Ghana was analyzed using a dynamic model that simulates
individual fish growth and takes fish population dynamics in the pond
into account. The results suggest that the current practiced mixed-sex
tilapia culture with catfish predation was economically sustainable.
However, to increase returns on investments, extension efforts should
be geared towards developing a Nile tilapia production system that is
based on a hand-sexed all-male tilapia culture. Other fundamentals
include pond studies to determine optimal pond size, availability of
affordable feed and quality fingerlings. Under an improved production
system, profits are high enough to justify investment through borrowed
capital.
Keywords: economic analysis, Nile tilapia, economic profitability, Ghana
JEL: D13, D24, O13
Vol. 46 (2007), No. 2: 105-117