ASSESSMENT OF THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF TRADITIONAL FISH-PIT PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE LOWER OUEME VALLEY IN BENIN

Fish ponds are a traditional fisheries production system widely practiced in the Lower Ouémé Valley in southern Benin. This activity contributes to the income of riparian communities, food security, and the conservation of wetlands, but its economic profitability remains insufficiently documented. This study aims to analyze the economic profitability of fish pit operations in the municipalities of Adjohoun, Aguégués, Bonou, and Dangbo. Socioeconomic data were collected from 366 producers through field surveys. Profitability was assessed using Gordon’s static model, while the determinants of producers’ income were analyzed using the Cobb-Douglas econometric model.
The results show that during the first year of operation, the activity exhibits negative profitability, with a deficit ranging from 0 to 750,000 FCFA per fish pit. This situation is mainly due to high initial development costs, particularly labor-related expenses. The econometric analysis reveals that labor costs have a significant negative impact on producers’ income. In contrast, the area under cultivation, production yield, and the unit selling price of fish have a significant positive effect on income. Starting in the second year of operation, fish ponds become economically profitable, with profits ranging from 30,000 to 120,000 FCFA per pond, thanks to lower production costs, particularly those related to labor. The Cobb-Douglas model indicates that the area under cultivation, yield, and the selling price per kilogram of fish account for 98% of the variation in producers’ income. The remaining 2% is attributable to unobserved factors such as hydrological variations, climatic conditions, seasonal fluctuations, and certain technical parameters that are difficult to measure.
These results show that fish pond farming is an economically viable activity in the medium term, despite the financial constraints observed during the initial setup phase. They highlight the need to strengthen technical, organizational, and financial support for producers, particularly by facilitating access to means of production, reducing development costs, and improving management practices. Such support would help increase the productivity of fish ponds, maximize farmers’ incomes, and ensure the economic and environmental sustainability of this traditional practice in the Lower Ouémé Valley.