1.1 Introduction
Egg quality is determined by the internal and external factors. Internal factor is related to the condition of brood stock that produces the eggs. The adequacy of nutrition and good health of brood stock during the process of vitellogenesis will affect the quality of eggs produced (Izquierdo et al., 2001). The growth and development of embryos and larva is determined by the availabilities of nutrients and materials in the egg to support the optimum growth and development of embryos and larvae. Good eggs will produce good individuals (Bobe, 2015).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The Catfish, Clariasgariepinus Burchell (1822) is a remarkable and fascinating species, as it is extremely hardy and withstands adverse environmental condition and habitat instability. It is hardy and does not easily succumb to disease and feeds all types of biowastes .The fish can efficiently assimilate a wide variety of animal and plant proteins. Growth of this fish under natural condition is fast. The predatory, cannibalism and voracious feeding habit of this fish catch the impression of the farmers to culture them in natural inland freshwater bodies. Moreover the faster growth rate and relative higher market price of this fish has been luring the famer to take up its culture.
Nutritional deficiencies in eggs can result in the inhibition or cessation of embryogenesis activities that can cause deaths in the new organisms before being hatched or the occurrence of abnormal growth of the larvae produced. Eggs with good qualities can be determined by evaluating the ability of the eggs to be fertilized and the capacity of the fertilized eggs to be hatched.
Fish Production and Consumption
In recent years, capture fishery production has been flat, at around 90 million tonnes per year, while aquaculture has continued to show sustained growth – currently around 6.5 percent a year – faster than all other food sectors (FAO 2012, FAO 2013 and FAO 2014). In 2011 it amounted to 62.7 million tonnes. Some gains in capture fisheries might be possible by adopting better management through an eco-system approach, but significant increases are unlikely. However, it has been estimated that if all inputs were available, aquaculture could provide 16 – 47 million additional tonnes of fish by 2030 (Hall et al., 2013). A comparison of capture fisheries and aquaculture production in the top five aquaculture producing countries in 2011. It is interesting to note that in four out of the five top aquaculture producers the output from aquaculture exceeds that from capture fisheries. Only in Indonesia, a vast archipelago is capture more than aquaculture.
A total of 156 million tonnes of fish was produced from all sources in 2011, of which 132 million tonnes was available for direct human consumption. In 2014 alone, Nigeria imported 8000 metric tons of fish and thereby employing foreign producers to feed Nigeria thus depleting our hard earned resources and foreign exchange.
Gomna and Rana (2015) reported an annual fish consumption of 5.8 and 9Kg/caput years to meat in Lagos state in the southwest Nigeria. Despite the fact that fish is the most consumed source of animal protein in Nigeria, the level of consumption is still far below the world average, as reported by The Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statitical Database (FAOSTAT, 2015). In addition, substantial proportion of the fish consumed in Nigeria is still being imported, hence the need to expand local production to meet the increasing demand and save the country from available negative balance payment.
Nigerians are high fish consumers with a total current consumption figures of about 2.0 million metric tonnes, with an annual fish import figure of about 700,000 metric tonnes (FAO, 2015 and Okeke et al., 2014).Meanwhile, the study of fish consumption is worthwhile, not only in determining national and localized fish requirement but in the final analysis in satisfying public demand for fish products. Research has show that Nigeria current demand for fish consumption in the country stands at about 3.2million metric tons per annum .Nigeria produces a total of 1.1million metric tons leaving a huge gap of 2 million tons in the supply of fish and fish products(FAD 2016).
Fish and Human Nutrition
Fish plays an important role in fighting hunger and malnutrition. Fish is not only a source of proteins and healthy fats, but also a unique source of essential nutrients, including long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, iodine, vitamin D, and calcium. The multiple benefits of fatty fish high in omega-3s and small fish eaten whole containing nutrients in the skin and bones clearly illustrate seafood’s irreplaceable nutritional value. An increased focus on fish and nutrition aids both developing countries and the developed world. In many developing countries, fish is the main or only source of animal protein, and is essential for providing micronutrients to vulnerable populations. Fish can sometimes serve as a solution to existing health problems.
For instance children’s neurodevelopment, often undervalued parts of the fish, like the head, viscera, and back-bones make up 30-70% of fish and are especially high in micronutrients. It has increased from 9 kg per capital in 1961 to approximately 20 kg per capita today.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Consumer Acceptability in Market Entrance of Dried Catfish Egg.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that catfish (Clariasgariepinus) so far has being the most available species in Nigeria that suit the tropical region for culture in aquatic environment which is also a cheap and the most affordable animal protein to the common man provides up to 40% of animal protein consumed by an average Nigerian (FOS, 2011: Fagbenro, 2014). The citizens in Nigeria are faced with two main choices – either they preferred consuming the fresh or the smoked dried Clarias gariepinus. The choices of each individual depend on a number of factors. Some of these factors include: family use, knowledge of Agriculture and general educational level, income, age, occupation etc.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to determine the Consumer Acceptability in Market Entrance of Dried Catfish Egg. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To find out the differences between the consumers’ preference for fresh catfish and smoke dried one based on socio-economic factors,
- To examine the consumer acceptability of dried catfish egg,
- To assess the prices of the fish products and the income of the consumers affect their consumption of fish.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there any significant differences between the consumers’ preference for fresh catfish and smoke dried one based on socio-economic factors?
- To what extent in consumer accepted in the market entrance of dried catfish egg?
- How do the prices of the fish products and the income of the consumers affect their consumption of fish?
1.6 Significance of the Study
This research is to assist the fisheries experts, economist and nutritionists with the information which can be useful in their works and research, also this research will also help the farmer to either to market catfish (Clariasgariepinus) fresh or to smoke dry it depending on the consumers acceptability.
This work will look into the functional relationship between the type of fish consumer chooses to consume and some selected variables which will reflect the socio-economic status of the residents of Enugu state, thereby furnishing fisheries experts, Agricultural firms, those responsible for allocation of Agricultural and Aqua-cultural utilities in the government, sociologists and even economists with the information useful for their work.
1.7 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the determination of Consumer Acceptability in Market Entrance of Dried Catfish Egg.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
