One of the most common farming methods in Nigeria is fish farming. The aquaculture industry in Nigeria is maturing, fish farmers used nets or other gear to fish in rivers, streams, oceans, ponds, or lakes previously, but now they are not limited to these places. They can raise fish in their own yards or tanks. In Nigeria, fish is the staple food and there are different types of fish available in the market including frozen, grilled, smoked, etc. In general, the aquaculture industry provides a considerable market for people. Fish farmers can choose the appropriate type of fish farming according to their interests or expertise.
Like other industries, the farming industry faces various challenges. The main problems include backward fish farming techniques and methods, insufficient professional capacity and skills, high cost of fish feed and medicines, insufficient storage facilities, substandard processing machinery and equipment, substandard fish quality, natural disasters (flooding), and poor market management.
Financial support
In order to expand the aquaculture industry and improve the economic development of Nigeria, the government should vigorously support farmers and carry out various programs to support fish farmers. For example, banks can provide credit facilities for the aquaculture industry.
Selection of fish
Not all fish are suitable for aquaculture, and farmers should choose the right type of fish with the following quality requirements:
The government should collaborate and communicate with the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Oceanography on fisheries and fish management issues to develop quality fish stocks.
Proper fish pond
All fish farmers should use concrete ponds, plastic tanks and portable tarpaulin tanks to keep fish. Also, do not use cages, fences, and earthen ponds, as they are prone to severe flood damage.
Fish health management
Maintaining good fish health is important for a profitable fish farming business. Slow growth, low feed consumption, low yields, and increased disease and mortality are all the result of poor fish health management. Therefore, fish farmers should conduct fish health management seriously to ensure the profitability of aquaculture. This can be achieved by selecting farms with good water quality, quality feed (nutrition and size), and quality breeding. More importantly, specific measures are needed to address fish disease problems.
Storage and processing
Fish are susceptible to microbial damage and are highly susceptible to infecting other fish, and once caught from the water, they begin to depreciate. With proper funding, fish farmers can adopt technology to store and process fish products.
Market stabilization and linkage
One of the main problems of fish farming in Nigeria is market instability. Fish farmers are generally not profitable without marketing or getting the product into the hands of consumers. Farmers’ incomes are affected by price changes, and poor road systems and high transportation costs affect the profitability of fish farmers. With limited access to the market, fish farmers often sell their produce at the farm gate, paying buyers too low a price compared to what is on the market. Therefore, the government should improve road infrastructure to reduce transportation costs and road losses, and connect fish farmers with dealers who can buy fish at reasonable prices.