The State of Farm Raised Catfish Consumption in Ghana: A Case of the Ashanti Region

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the status of farmed raised catfish consumption in Ghana focusing on the Ashanti region as a case study. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire from 240 respondents from 4 out of 7 zones in the region. The method of data collection were purposive, stratification and simple random sampling. The study employed descriptive analysis as well as logistic regression for data analysis. Twenty percent of the sampled population were men and the rest were women with age range between 22 to 84 years. The respondents were sampled from various professions while some were students. About 30% of sampled respondents had attained a high educational level (tertiary) while 36% had attained basic level. Most respondents preferred fish as a regular source of protein. A higher percentage of the respondents (73%) consumed farmed fish, mainly tilapia and catfish. Results points out that about 59% of the consumers of farmed fish consumed catfish. Furthermore, 62% of consumers of catfish had ever consumed fresh catfish. Reasons provided by those who did not eat fresh catfish are: it taste less better than captured catfish from the wild, has an unpleasant odour and slimy in nature, is a taboo due to religious belief, and higher price. Most respondents (63%) who patronized catfish preferred smoked catfish. About 80% of the respondents are willing to eat catfish if it is processed. The logistic regression results showed that the determinants for consumption of processed catfish are age, gender, where fish is consumed, and frequency of farmed catfish purchased. It is recommended that government should come out with policies, plans and strategies as well as incentives to enable fish farmers produce and process catfish. There should be the developing of projects out of the aquaculture development plan and other plans with emphasis on catfish production including the production and supply of quality catfish fingerlings to farmers. Since a greater percent of consumers preferred processed catfish compared to fresh, value addition to the catfish product should be encourage for higher patronage.