Productivity indicators and best management practices situation in aquaculture industry in Nigeria

A study was conducted in February to March 2010 to analyzed constraints and identifies research priorities for development of aquaculture in Nigeria. It incorporated a cross-sectional analysis of participatory approach involving consultations with relevant stakeholders across the five agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. Consultations were made with Research Institutes and their training arms, the Fisheries Colleges; Universities, the Federal Department of Fisheries, Fish Farmers’ Organizations (especially Catfish Farmers’ Association of Nigeria, CAFAN), Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), National Special Programme on Food Security (NSPFS), Input Dealers, some private farmers and the private sector focused Catfish Farming Development Programme of the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Extensive review of relevant literatures related to aquaculture development in Nigeria and global perspective was carried out. A component of the study was to analyze the situation of the industry in terms of productivity levels and best management practices compared with global standard. Findings reveal that the best practice ethics is not yet in place in the industry. This results in poorly designed fish culture facilities, improper management, low fish survival rate in hatcheries and production ponds, resulting in low productivity and poor returns on investment. The major constraints to the growth of the industry include low quality of consultancy services, high cost of imported feeds and drugs, high cost and scarcity of fast growing fish seeds, lack of access to finance, prevalence of diseases and pests, poor quality of consulting services and absence of guidelines to regulate conduct of business in the industry along the production and supply value chain. Although the Nigerian aquaculture industry boast of the largest manpower (in that sub-sector) in Africa; the quality of business development services are considered low. Research Institutes and Universities have regular funding problems for aquaculture research, poor infrastructures, and lack of exposures of staff to regular trainings to enable them be at par with global expertise on aquaculture development.

Bibliographic Details

Main Author:	Bolorunduro, P.I.
Format:	conference_item biblioteca
Language:	English
Published:	Fisheries Society of Nigeria 2010
Subjects:	Aquaculture, Nigeria, Fish Culture Management, freshwater environment, Fish culture, Pond culture, Aquaculture techniques,
Online Access:	http://hdl.handle.net/1834/38195
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