Fish marketing problems among the small scale fishermen in siaya district: a case study of West Yimbo location on the shores of Lake Victoria

Abstract

The understanding of the marketing problems of such an important fishery as West Yimbo location in Lake Victoria provides a frame-work within which the management, production and institutional roles can be handled. The efficient production of fish as a source of protein and income as well as a means of earning foreign exchange is largely dependent on efficient distribution. This study attempts to examine the fish marketing problems in West Yimbo location. Speci- fically the study looks into accessibility of landing beaches in regard to rainfall distribution, the exploitative nature of the operatursof refrigerated trucks who reap huge profits from the poor fishermen,to determine the sales of processed and fresh fish in so far as they affect fisherman's income and the state of Yimbo fishermen Co-operative Society as far as marketing of fish is concerned. Primary and secondary data were used to evaluate the marketing problems in the study area. The methodology involved the use of chi-square test in assessing the influence of refregerated trucks in fish marketing, correlation co-efficient has been (vii) used in establishing the relationship of rainfall distribution and fish processed. The financial state of Yimbo fishermen have also been regressed to illustrate whether this society has many improvements in marketing services. Other less powerful qualitative methods have also been employed in analysing and highlighting the marketing problems in the study areas. (2.- The results of the study indicate that fishermens' recipts, from the sales of their catches are /\ constrained by lack of storage facili t.ies, inadequate transport facilities which inhibit the smooth flow of fish trade and the poor performance of Yimbo fishermen co-operative society in fish marketing. The finding revealed that there was a strong relationship between enrolment membership and the o C) grass cast annual turnover, whereas there is a weak correlation between monthly rainfall distribution and the amount of fish processed. The chi-square test showed that there is a difference in the , efficiency of refr~erated trucks and co-operatives in fish marketing channels. The fishing effort is therefore not well rewarded. Fishery research needs to ensure that information on economic, social, political and natural factors are well understood. This study aims at satisfying an economic information which is neccessary for the development of fishery. The formulation and interpretation of the functions used, the examinations of other aspects of the fishery and the derivations of policy implications are thus aimed at filling an important information gap. The study therefore concludes by suggesting some reccommendation to policy and decision makers that would help promote development of fisheries resources and raise the standard living of the fishermen.