Scientific Papers Series Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 21, Issue 3, 2021 PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, E-ISSN 2285-3952 571 AN ANALYSIS OF FISH FARMERS’ MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND INFORMATION NEEDS IN ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA Amurtiya MICHAEL 1 , Mark POLYCARP 1 , Mark Kauna SANDA 2 , Sarah Afusai DAVID 1 1 Adama University of Technology Yola, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT), Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Moddibo PMB 2076, Yola, Nigeria, Phone: +2347063472148, +2348035827693, +2348060988948, Email: michaelamurtiya@yahoo.com, polymarkson@yahoo.com, sarahdavid8084@gmail.com 2 Moddibo Adama University of Technology Yola, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT), Department of Fisheries, PMB 2076, Yola, Nigeria, Phone: +2348031878552, Emails: mksnd127@gmail.com Corresponding author: michaelamurtiya@yahoo.com Abstract This study analysed the management practices and information needs of fish farmers in Adamawa State, Nigeria. The study adopted a multistage sampling technique to collect primary data from 166 fish farmers. Descriptive statistics, Likert Scale, and Ordinary Least Square regression model were used to analyse the data collected. The findings of the study indicated that the prominent information sources among the farmers were the internet and acquaintances/friends. Similarly, the study established that the majority of the respondents need information on most aspects of fish farming and that the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers influence these information needs. Furthermore, high-cost of fish feed, lack/inadequacy of capital, lack of good/reliable market information, and poor breeds of fish were identified as the leading respondents’ constraints in fish production. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that there is a dire need for the government and other agricultural development actors to employ and also motivate more agricultural extension agents in the area to enable the fish farmers to access them for information. The findings of this study will substantially contribute to aquaculture planning in the country so as to enhance gains from the sector. Key words: aquaculture, agricultural extension, fisheries INTRODUCTION In Nigeria, the fishery sub-sector plays a very prominent role in the livelihoods of a large percentage of the nation’s populace over the years [8; 16]. Available records have shown that the country has the largest market for fish and fish products in the whole of Africa, and it is ranked second in the region in terms of production of the commodity [2; 24]. Fish consumption accounts for over 40% of the protein sources consumed in the country. Currently, in terms of consumption per capita, the country holds the 68th position on the global ranking [20; 45]. Apart from the role of the sector in the provision of food, it creates employment opportunities for all classes of people regardless of their age and social status, hence, foreign exchange can hugely be generated from the sector as obtainable in other climes [38; 28; 50]. Traditionally, capture fisheries have been the most popular in the country, however, it is becoming hugely depleted owing to various climatic and social challenges [24; 40]. This has led to a huge deficit in both production and consumption [34; 31]. Generally, the country’s average fish production in recent years is about 1.123 million Metric tons per annum, while the annual deficit is over 2 million metric tons [24]. Yet, an average of 221,412.6 metric tons annually has been the contribution of aquaculture to the overall production by an average of 13,215 fish farmers [13]. In monetary terms, the country over the years has been importing fish and other fish-related products to the tune of about USD 1,461 Million [43]. Similarly, the contribution of the sub-sector to the gross agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country has