According to projections of the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), the national policy implemented by the Federal Government in the areas of agriculture, food security, and aquaculture value chain production is expected to result in an increase of over 13% in Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the next five years. During a workshop in Delta State intended to equip 70 farmers with fish production skills, Dr. Sule Abiodun, the Director of Training at NIOMR, revealed this projection. According to Abiodun, who was accompanied by Dr. Olaji Ebenezer, aquaculture and Agriculture now account for more than 24% of the GDP of the country.
Growth in the aquaculture industry will be aided by the federal government’s emphasis on food security, economic diversification, and better nutrition. The program covered topics like fish breeding, the fish production value chain, fish farming economics, and marketing. It was held in Kwale, Delta State, and had participants from three major local government areas. The objective of the knowledgeable presenters was to provide attendees the tools they needed to become self-sufficient and employers in the profitable fish farming sector.
There is potential for large growth with increased efforts in fish farming.
The state administration, represented by High Chief Ogbuefi Eric Anigala, commended the program and the federal government of Nigeria for their creative use of aquaculture research to fight Poverty and food insecurity. The instruction was appreciated by the participants, who said it was essential to growing their fish farming operations. At the completion of the program—which was run by NIOMR with project consultancy assistance and funded by the Federal Government—certificates were given to participants.
Currently, the total contribution of agriculture and aquaculture to the GDP of the country is about 24%. There is a definite potential for large growth if efforts are increased in fish farming, which is still an under-utilised sector, and if they are in line with the government’s renewed commitment to economic diversification. According to World Bank projections, with appropriate investment, aquaculture alone may increase at a pace of 8% yearly, generating new jobs and raising local production. Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), biofloc technology, and integrated fish farming are examples of modern fish farming techniques that could be widely adopted by the Federal Government to lessen Nigeria’s dependency on fish imports, which currently make up 45% of the country’s fish consumption.
Training was provided on the economics of fish farming.
During the training session, participants were taught specific procedures designed to modernise fish farming by the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR). The management of water quality, disease prevention strategies, effective feed utilisation, and sophisticated breeding techniques for high-yield fish species like catfish and tilapia were among them. Training was also provided on the economics of fish farming, which covers topics such as distribution networks, market strategies, and cost-benefit analysis. These topics are essential for converting small-scale businesses into successful endeavours. New equipment was incorporated to increase production and save running expenses, such as solar-powered pumps, water aerators, and fish feeders.
Participant interviews demonstrated the programs’ transformational power. For example, young fish Farmer Sylverline Okwuelum reported that she used improved breeding procedures to enlarge her modest fish farm following the training, resulting in a 30% increase in productivity. Felix Okoro, a former trainee from a comparable program in 2020, also said that his business increased by 50% in just two years, which enabled him to add four full-time staff. These success stories show how such programs might support business and employment creation in rural areas.
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In the future, the aquaculture sector in Nigeria would require ongoing government assistance as well as Private Sector participation to improve steadily. In order to help small-scale farmers expand their businesses, the policy must be combined with grants, finance, and technical support. Moreover, post-harvest losses—which presently account for 20% of aquaculture products—will be decreased by constructing nearby fish processing and storage facilities. Long-term food security, poverty reduction, and increased Export potential can all be attributed to the aquaculture sector, in addition to GDP growth, by addressing these issues and offering continuous training.