Exploring how the Livelihood Prospects of the Fishing Communities around Nigeria's Shiroro and Kainji Dams are Correlated with Artisanal Fishing Activities

Abstract

The study examined how the livelihood outcomes of the fishing communities around the Nigerian Shiroro and Kainji Dams related with their artisanal fishing activities. Data from 460 respondents was gathered using a questionnaire routine. The respondents were chosen using proportionate and multi-stage sampling approaches. Data analysis involved the use of both inferential statistics and descriptive statistics. The findings reveal that, among respondents, (79.1%) placed fish catch and marketing as the most actively involved artisanal fisheries activity, with fish catch, processing, and marketing coming in second with 63.3%). Similar to this, fish catch, transportation, and marketing had 54.8% of respondents and was ranked third. Findings on the livelihood outcomes reveal that, Factor 1 represents variables related to "sustainable employment," with the highest loadings for "access to fishing ground" (0.737), Factor 2: This factor captures aspects related to "food security." The factor "Improved access to infrastructures" (0.669) has the largest loading. Factor 3: Captures factors connected to "income." The component "increased working capital" has the highest loading (0.773), Factor 4: "Access to diverse learning resources" (0.766) is a component with significant positive loadings related to quality education. Factor 5: Gathers information about "household stability." Adequate food supply (0.791) have the strongest loadings in this component. The results have implications that the livelihood outcomes after loadings on each element improved the livelihood conditions of fishers. Therefore, the study suggested that in order to help fishermen carry out their fishing operations with greater ease and to achieve better livelihood results, the government should provide financial facilities.