A comparative evaluation of performance between non-funded and funded fish farmers by the Agropoles programme in the Centre region of Cameroon

More than one decade after its launch, one ignores whether the Agropoles programme improved the performance of fish farmers in Cameroon. Hence, this study was conducted to compare the profitability and Technical Efficiency (TE) between non-funded and funded fish farmers under that programme and to analyse the TE determinants for the two farmers’ categories. The study collected data from 130 non-funded and 135 funded fish farmers of the Centre region, used thereafter for profitability analysis, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Tobit model. The results indicated that, in spite of their supplementary fish production costs, funded farmers earned higher yield, profit, economic rate of return and TE than the non-funded group. The Tobit model results highlighted socio-economic, technical and institutional factors that influenced TE variations, with most positive changes in favour of funded farmers. Hence, the government should encourage non-funded eligible farmers to apply for joining the Agropoles programme. Besides, in order to favour the non-eligible farmers or any of the two farmers’ categories, priority should be given to factors that would enhance TE or prevent its decrease. This could be achieved by promoting the farmers’ gender equality, gifts and rewards to well merited farmers, training sessions and/or agro-pastoral show.