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Enhanced Tilapia for fisheries

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WorldFish is providing genetically modified Tilapia to Nigerian fisheries.

The transfer of (GIFT) Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia to Nigeria by WorldFish will have many benefits for the Nigerian people. These benefits include improved livelihoods and food security. GIFT tilapia are a more disease-resistant and faster-growing strain of tilapia, which will be a boon to Nigerian farmers.

A faster growth rate will result in more fish being able to be harvested in a shorter time frame, leading to increased profits. The disease-resistance of GIFT tilapia will also help to reduce losses due to disease, further improving profitability. Improved tilapia farming will also lead to improved livelihoods for Nigerian farmers and their families.

It is a high-yielding, disease-resistant variety of tilapia.

The Melinda Gates Foundation and USAID are collaborating with WorldFish and PAL to have WorldFish/PAL GIFT tilapia in Nigerian fish markets by late 2023. This is part of a larger effort to increase food security in Nigeria by increasing the availability of nutritious fish.

WorldFish is a global nonprofit organization that works to increase the productivity of small-scale fisheries and aquaculture. Premium Aquaculture Limited (PAL) is a tilapia breeding program that is part of WorldFish. The GIFT tilapia is a high-yielding, disease-resistant variety of tilapia that was developed through the PAL program. The Melinda Gates Foundation and USAID are working with WorldFish and PAL to bring the GIFT tilapia to Nigeria.

Tilapia are more productive in growth and flesh quality.

Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic animals or plants, especially fish, crustaceans, and mollusks, in freshwater or marine environments. Of the total aquaculture production, tilapia contributes a significantly large amount. In 2018, 5 million metric tonnes of tilapia was produced, with Nile tilapia making up the majority. Tilapia are a popular choice for aquaculture due to their high growth rate, tolerance to crowded conditions, and omnivorous diet. Nile tilapia, in particular, is native to Africa and the Middle East and has been introduced to other parts of the world through aquaculture.

A well-managed breeding population is essential for producing the high-quality eggs needed for tilapia aquaculture expansion, including small-scale farming. By carefully controlling the breeding process, farmers can ensure that the tilapia they produce are of the best possible quality, making them more resilient to disease and more productive in terms of growth and flesh quality. In addition, a well-managed breeding population can help to produce the necessary quantities of eggs, ensuring that there is a continuous supply of tilapia for aquaculture operations.

New economic opportunities for small-scale farmers.

WorldFish’s tilapia farming project in Nigeria has the potential to create a new domestic industry, increase small business income and employment, deliver new fish products to the market, and improve nutrition and health for the Nigerian population. This project, would provide new economic opportunities for small-scale farmers by increasing fish production in the country.


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