Production Function Analysis of Fish Production in Amansie-West District of Ghana, West Africa
Christian Crentsil
Department of Agri-Environmental Economics, School of Economics, Keynes College, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
Inibehe George Ukpong *
Department of Food Economics and Marketing, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, United Kingdom
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The study aimed to obtain the estimates of a production function for fish production in the Amansie-West District of Ghana, West Africa, using primary data collected from 45 registered farmers. Factor elasticities and returns to scale were estimated, as well as the coefficients for various factors of production. The results indicate that the total area of ponds, weight and size of fingerlings and feed had a significant and positive relationship with fish output (P<.01), in the production of fish in the study area. The production technology used in the district also exhibited increasing returns to scale. There is therefore the need to carry out a wider estimation of the cost functions and economic efficiency of fish production, to enable farmers minimize the cost of production toward efficient and profitable optimum. We recommend changes in public policy to promote improved yields for existing fish ponds in the area with reference to the total pond area, feed and the number or weight of fingerlings, which have strong correlation with fish output (yields). Such policies will go a long way to boost fish production in the Amansie-West District, with a broader focus on fish farmers in other areas within the country
Keywords: Production function, econometric analysis, fish production, Amansie-west, Ghana, West Africa