Residents’ Perception of Aquaculture Development. The Case of Buguma Fish Farm in Rivers State, Nigeria

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Introduction

1.1 Background to the Study

1.2 Statement of the Problem

1.3 Aim of the study

1.4 Objectives of the Study

1.5 Research Questions

1.6 Justification for the Study

1.7 Scope of the Study

1.8 Description of the Study Area

1.9 Historical Information on the Buguma Fish Farm

1.10 Significance of the Study

1.11 Limitation / Research Gap

1.12 Conceptual/ Operational Definition of Terms

1.13 List of Acronyms/ Abbreviations

Chapter 2

Literature Review

2.1 Conceptual Framework

2.2 Models of Regional development

2.2.1 The Chinese Model of Rural Territorial Organisation

2.2.2 Review of John Friedmann and the Agropolitan Concept of Regional Development

2.2.2.1 Definition of Agropolitan

2.2.2.2 The Objectives of Agropolitan Development

2.2.2.3 The Basis of Agropolitan Development

2.2.2.4 Basis for Agropolis (Agricultural-Based Urban Growth Center)

2.3 Aquaculture Planning and Management

2.4 Perceptions of Aquaculture Development

2.4.1 Determinants of Residents Perceptions of Aquaculture

2.5 Summary to literature reviewed

Chapter 3

Research Methodology

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Research Design

3.3 Data Sources

3.4 Field Research Strategies

3.3 Population and Sample

3.3.1 Population of Study (Sample Frame)

3.3.2 Sample Size

3.3.3 Sampling Technique

3.3.4 Target Population

3.4 Questionnaire Design

3.5 Data Preparation and Storage

3.6. Reliability and Validity of Research Instrument

3.7. Analytical Techniques

Chapter 4

Data Presentation and Analysis

4.1 Household questionnaire distributed and returned

4.2 Sex of Respondents

4.3 Age of Respondents

4.4 Literacy (Educational Attainment) of Respondents

4.5 Respondents Employment Status

4.6 Respondents Occupational Status

4.7 Supplementary Occupational Status of Respondents

4.8 Marital Status of Respondent

4.9 Income Status of Respondents

4.10 Number of persons in Household

4.11 Origin of Residents in the study area

4.12 Household members employed

4.13 Sources of Drinking Water

4.14 Mode of Household Travel

4.15 Primary Source of Power Supply

4.16 Length of Stay in Buguma

4.17 Residents Security Rating of Buguma Community

4.18 Communication Device owned by Respondent

4.19 Ways of communication by respondents who do not own a device

4.20 Where latest information is obtained

4.21 How financial dealings are transacted

4.22 Nearness/Proximity to Bank

4.23 Heard of the term “Aquaculture”

4.24 Awareness of Aquaculture in Buguma

4.25 Sea foods produced by aquaculture farms in Buguma

4.26 How often respondents eat sea foods

4.27 How respondents get fish they eat

4.28 Name of sea foods/ fishes sold in Buguma

4.29 When last Respondents’ eat Buguma Aquaculture fish

4.30 Reason why respondents have not eaten aquaculture products from the Buguma fish farm

4.31 State of sea food production without aquaculture

4.32 Other Uses of Buguma coastal environment

4.33 Whether respondent own a boat or not

4.34 How often you have gone fishing for recreation

4.35 Reason for not going on fishing for recreation

4.36 Respondents overall Perception of the aquaculture farm in Buguma

4.37 Reason for having positive views about the Buguma aquaculture farm

4.38 Reason for having negative views about the Buguma aquaculture farm

4.39 Suggestion on how to make more persons patronize Buguma aquaculture products

4.40 Sources of information about the Buguma Aquaculture farm

4.41 Residents’ Personal view of Impact of the Buguma aquaculture on residents

4.42 Buguma residents use of the coast been positively impacted by aquaculture

4.43 Buguma residents’ use of the coast has been negatively impacted by aquaculture

4.44 Operationalization of Aquaculture

4.45 Reasons for disagreeing that aquaculture is a sustainable way to produce food

4.46 Ways respondents’ think aquaculture poses a risk to natural sea life

4.47 As a fisherfolk, How often do you go a fishing

4.48 Fishing Implements respondents own

4.49 Quantity of fish catches per outing by respondents

4.50 Uses of fishes harvested in the open river

4.51 Where fisher folks sell their fishes

4.52 Fish preservation methods

4.53 Challenges faced in the sea while fishing

4.54 Fishers folk willingness to embrace new way of catching or rearing fish

4.55 Whether the Buguma aquaculture farm is a welcome development

4.56 Reasons fisher folks give why it is a welcome development

4.57 Whether there is competition between fisher folks and aquaculture farm activities

4.58 Extent of competition

4.59 Reasons for disagreeing that there is competition

4.60: Things the Buguma fish farm management need do to boast activity

4.61 Summary of Research Findings

Chapter 5

Discussion of Findings

5.1 Characteristics of Respondents

5.2 Occupational classification

5.3 Literacy Level/Educational Attainment of Respondents

5.4 Income Level of Respondent

5.5 Length of Stay in Buguma

5.6 Residents Security Rating of Buguma Community

5.7 Awareness of Aquaculture in Buguma

5.8 Respondents’ consumption of Buguma Aquaculture fish

5.9 Benefits of Buguma Aquaculture fish farm

5.10 Overall residents’ perception of the aquaculture farm in Buguma

5.11 Residents’ opinion of the challenges of the Buguma fish farm

5.12 Respondent Suggestion on Buguma aquaculture farm

Chapter 6

Recommendation and Conclusion

6.1 Conclusion

6.2 Recommendations

6.2.1 Agropolitan Settlement Plan Proposals

6.2.2 The Agropolitan Project Model for Asari-Toru Local Government Area

6.2.3 Content of AGC

6.2.4 Content of the Sub- Regional Agropolitan Industrial Center

6.2.5 Employment to be provided

6.2.6 Implementation Strategy for the Agropolitan Development

6.2.7 Project Implementation

Research Objectives and Focus

The primary aim of this research is to investigate the perceptions of Buguma community residents regarding the Buguma Fish Farm as an intervention project and to assess its potential to revitalize the local livelihood base, particularly in the face of ongoing environmental and security challenges in the Niger Delta region.

• Analysis of residents' level of awareness and perceptions of the aquaculture project.
• Evaluation of the socio-economic impacts, including job creation and food security.
• Examination of the operational challenges faced by the fish farm between 2013 and 2016.
• Investigation of the nexus between local community participation and project sustainability.
• Proposal of an Agropolitan Center model to revitalize regional development and livelihoods.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

Chapter 1: Provides the research background, statement of the problem, and outlines the objectives and scope of the study regarding the Buguma Fish Farm.

Chapter 2: Reviews existing literature on regional development models, specifically the Chinese rural territorial organization and the Agropolitan concept, as well as perceptions of aquaculture.

Chapter 3: Details the research methodology, including the design (Triangulation Mixed-Method), data sources, and sampling techniques used to gather insights from Buguma residents.

Chapter 4: Presents the primary data collected from field surveys, covering demographic information and detailed analysis of residents' perspectives on the aquaculture project.

Chapter 5: Discusses the findings of the field research, exploring the socio-economic implications and the residents' consensus regarding the success and failure of the farm operations.

Chapter 6: Offers final conclusions and recommendations, advocating for an Agropolitan Center strategy to restore local livelihoods and improve community participation in aquaculture.

Keywords

Aquaculture, Buguma Fish Farm, Residents Perception, Agropolitan Center, Livelihood, Community Participation, Regional Development, Fisheries, Food Security, Socio-economic Impact, Niger Delta, Asari-Toru LGA, Sustainability, Resource Management, Rural Transformation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this dissertation?

The work investigates the perception of residents in Buguma, Nigeria, toward the local fish farm as a development project and its impact on their livelihoods, specifically concerning food security and economic opportunities.

What are the central themes examined in this study?

Key themes include aquaculture sustainability, community participation, regional development, social-ecological systems, and the socio-economic challenges in the Niger Delta, particularly those linked to oil pollution and insecurity.

What is the primary objective of this research?

The primary goal is to assess residents' awareness and perception of the Buguma aquaculture farm, identify benefits and operational challenges, and propose an Agropolitan Center model for revitalization.

Which research methodology was adopted?

The study employed a "Triangulation Mixed-Method Design," combining both qualitative (key informants, discussions) and quantitative (household questionnaires) data collection approaches.

What does the main body of the work cover?

The main sections cover the background of the study area, literature review on development models (e.g., Agropolitan concepts), detailed methodology, presentation and analysis of survey data, and a final discussion of findings.

Which keywords best describe the research?

Important terms include Aquaculture, Buguma, Agropolitan Center, Livelihood, Community Participation, Regional Development, Sustainability, and Food Security.

What is the 'Agropolitan' model proposed by the author?

It is a regional development strategy that advocates for integrating rural communities with localized agricultural processing centers to create self-sustaining economies and minimize reliance on external urban centers.

Why did the author consider the Buguma Fish Farm to be a 'moribund' project?

The study concludes that despite its potential, the farm became inactive due to management failures, lack of community inclusion, and a disconnect between the facility and the local residents it was supposed to serve.