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| Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Heineken Lokpobiri |
In view of 3.1 million metric tons of
fisheries requirement in the country for local consumption, the Federal Government
(FG) and Worldfish research centre have come up with a proactive strategy to
scale up production through sea captures and aquaculture using improved
technologies.
This new development was the outcome of the
two day meeting held sometimes at Transcorp Hilton around March in Abuja which
was well attended by major stakeholders from the private sector, Research
Institutes and other value chains of the sub economy in Agriculture.
The Director
of International Partnership, Worldfish Research Centre, Mr. David Shearer has
identified the followings as way forward between now and next year saying the
upcoming steps from 2018 to 2019 are as follow “Review of the WorldFish Nigeria Program; Impact Pathways Consultation;
Commencement of Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT)
activities in Nigeria; Identification of funding opportunities by partners; and
Implementation of the second WorldFish project in Nigeria in 2019”
Mr. Shearer said the main objective of the
workshop was to bring together different stakeholders to deliberate on steps
towards establishment of WorldFish Nigeria programs saying the meeting was to
discuss the scoping and aquaculture value chain assessment reports of 2017, and
to achieve consensus on priority areas for research, discuss the regional
approach to program implementation including funding mechanisms, discuss and
recommend program based approach and modalities for the establishment of
WorldFish Nigeria program, and finally to agree on a Country Program Framework
for a road map.
In his opening remark as the chairman of the
ceremony, the Minister of State, FMARD, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri (PhD)
pointed that the meeting was initiated in order to fathom out more improved
ways of fish production to checkmate import with improved research technologies
saying “ part of our challenge has to do
with fish feeds which is apparently too expensive because it was basically
imported, and we need to see how we can develop a cheaper way of feeding them
that would automatically affect the price of fish sold in the country.
Also the
Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mr. Mohammed Muazu ably represented by
Babatunde John commended the WorldFish Center for establishing their presence
in the country, noted that Nigeria was the second largest aquaculture producer
in Africa despite inherent challenges of scarcity of improved fish seeds in the
sub sector. He therefore urged the WorldFish Centre to look into the capacity
development of fisheries among research institutes, universities and small and
medium scale fish farmers with a breeding programme on tilapia in Nigeria.
Also, the National Project Coordinator, WAAPP
Dr. James Ocheme Apochi used the occasion to present series of programmes and
activities his organization has carried out being an ECOWAS project sponsored
by the World Bank with the mandate of promoting sustainable agriculture, added
that aquaculture has remained a very strategic commodity of the programme
alongside research grant, distribution of smoking kiln to reduce post-harvest
losses and establishment of fish feed mills to boost productivity.
WAAP Dr. Apochi further informed the meeting
that owing to the successes recorded so far by the project which have made
World Bank to rate it as the second best project, the programme is entering
another phase and it would be referred to as West Africa Agricultural Transformation
Project (WAATP) with a mandate to identify regional problems and proffer
solutions to them. He expressed willingness of the Project to collaborate with
the WorldFish Programme in Nigeria for the development of Fisheries and
Aquaculture.
David Shearer, Director, International
Partnership, WorldFish gave a presentation on the opportunities in partnering
with WorldFish and engagement with the FISH CGIAR research Program. He
established to the forum that Fish is crucial to any debate and action to
reduce poverty and improve food security and nutrition. He added that the
WorldFish would be delivering the program in Nigeria through their global
program FISH-CRP which has as its objectives the sustainable increase in the
supply of fish from aquaculture; securing and enhancing the contribution of
small-scale fisheries; and increasing the availability and consumption of fish.
His presentation further highlighted three important ‘P’s to the success of the
WorldFish Nigeria program: Priority, Partnership and Pipeline which he
elucidated respectively as identification of critical needs to be addressed,
collaboration with relevant agencies, and financial support for the program.
TECHNICAL SESSIONS
1.
The paper one (1) presented by Mr. I.E Pwaspo on “Status of
Fisheries and Aquaculture Development in Nigeria” focuses on history, status
and characteristic of aquaculture in Nigeria.The presentation focused on the
history, status and characteristics of Nigeria aquaculture sector. It
highlighted the contribution of various national government, regional initiatives and
development partners to the growth of the aquaculture industry in Nigeria. Also
mentioned is the direction of the current agricultural policy vis-à-vis its
implementation in the fisheries and aquaculture subsector and the various
activities being carried out geared towards increase in fish production, import
reduction, increase in foreign exchange earnings, job creation etc. The
different fish species found in the Nigeria fresh and marine waters, the rarely
cultured and the cultured ones, and the current drive to diversify the cultured
fish species to include others of economic importance were discussed. Having
discussed the various developments in the sector and the identified gaps,
propositions were made for way forward which anchored mainly on effective
collaboration and partnership.
2. Paper (2) on Aquaculture Value Chain
Assessment in Oyo State, Nigeria Report presented by Prof. Tosan Fregene and Prof. Bola Omonona assess the
status of aquaculture in Nigeria. In view of the large scope of the country,
Oyo State was selected for the assessment being the central hub of aquaculture
in the country.
The study
analyzed the sub-sector’s contribution of approximately US$ 2.5 billion to the
country’s GDP and supports about 7 million people directly and indirectly.
However, out of 2.7m tons required annually, only 0.8m was produced. The study entails rapid reconnaissance survey
of actors; identification of those communities within a LGA; identification of
key actors and key informants. The study identified catfish and tilapia as
majorly reared species. While catfish is predominant, the introduction of
tilapia in the study area was in 2016 by private companies engaging in cage
culture. Key conclusions from the study includes the need for good quality
pelletized feed and the need for large scale processors who will off-take small
farmers’ produce at a good price.
3. Dr. Rohana Subasinghe on “Fish for Food,
Nutrition and Income through Enabling Youth in Nigeria: Scoping Report” focused on
some important key statistics on Nigeria aquaculture, the available knowledge
and the potential research areas. The presentation established that Nigeria has
the highest population growth in Africa, with approximately 184 million people,
accounting for 47% of West Africa’s population, with 50 percent youth. Over 25
percent of Nigerian youth are currently unemployed. Fisheries sector is
relatively small with 3-4 percent contribution to the GDP. Over the past 35
years, aquaculture production in Nigeria has grown 12 percent a year making the
country the largest aquaculture fish producer in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting
for 54 percent of the total fish production in the sub-region. Proposed research program components include
more quality seed; more affordable feeds; sustainable fish production; more
profits through value adding; and fish production for improving rural
nutrition.
4. Mrs. Aena Serwah Asante On “FCWC Recent
initiatives and findings in small scale fisheries in the region” discussed the activities of the Fisheries
Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea in the region and particularly
the recent initiatives promoting fisheries development among the member states.The
Technical Cooperation Project (TCP-3512) was also carried out in the sub-region
to address the need for improved information on artisanal fisheries.
5. Fish Feeds and Survival of Aquaculture
Industry in Nigeria: A survey of locally available feed ingredients – Dr. Agboola
Jeleel Opeyemi overviewed the
status of aquaculture in Africa with challenges militating against its growth,
particularly the high cost of production owing to the high cost of fish feed.
The survey was therefore carried out in selected African countries to identify
locally available ingredients that could be used in fish feed production. Of
particular importance are those ingredients that could serve as suitable
alternatives to fish meal. Potential candidates surveyed include Single Cell
Protein (SCP), insects and aquatic plants. It was noted however that in
identifying suitable alternative, it is important to put into consideration the
general proximate, amino acid and fatty acid content of the alternatives in
relation with the fish meal.
6. Dr. Harrison Karisa presentation on “Breeding
Programs and Genetically Improved Fish Seed” pondered on the need
for genetic improvement program for aquatic species. It appraised various
methodologies and options that could be considered in the WorldFish Nigeria
Program in view of the limited resources,
and proffered need for more food with better utilization of available resources
to produce. In view of the development of Nigeria aquaculture, two options may
be considered for the WorldFish Nigeria Program: medium term option of
utilizing already existing improved strain; and long term plan of developing
improved strain from indigenous species.
7 Experiences
from partners: IITA Youth Entrepreneurship Program – Mrs. Ajibola Olaniyi, IITA-IYA
The experience from the Youth
Entrepreneurship Program of the International Institute for Tropical
Agriculture (IITA) was shared. The program was initiated to address the spate
of unemployment and under-employment among the youth especially young graduates. The approach
involves mobilization, mindset changing, training, organizational development,
mentorship, and profitable venture. Aquaculture was selected as the major
enterprise for the program. The beneficiaries are therefore provided with
start-up capital and with good performance, the loans can be scaled up. Some of
the impacts of the Program include rehabilitation of abandoned facilities for
aquaculture use; establishment of fish farms for youth within and outside
Nigeria; Promoting/disseminating modern day production technology; and
contribution of over 300mt of fish to fish production.
In view of the progress in the series of
engagements and discussions, the followings key way forward was provided by Mr.
David Shearer for the WorldFish Nigeria Program, 2018-2019.
i.
Review of the WorldFish Nigeria Program;
ii.
Impact pathways consultation;
iii. Commencement
of Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) activities in
Nigeria;
iv. Identification
of funding opportunities by partners; and
v.
Implementation of the second WorldFish project in Nigeria in 2019.
6.0 CLOSING
The meeting was closed by the representative
of the Director of Fisheries, Mr. Babatunde John, Deputy Director of Fisheries,
who commended the participants for their active contributions throughout the
meeting. He also appreciated the WorldFish team for the commencement of the
project in Nigeria and looked forward to the foreseen impact the Program will
have on the fisheries and aquaculture sector of the country.
In support of the development of WorldFish
country research program in Nigeria, World
Fish and the Government of Nigeria, through
the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development organized a two-day
Stakeholders workshop on 20-21 March 2018. The meeting took place at Transcorp
Hilton Hotel, Abuja and brought together a diverse group of participants
including donors, government officials, regional and national research
organizations, and stakeholders from the aquaculture and fisheries industry.
The main objective of the workshop was to
bring together different stakeholders to deliberate on steps towards
establishment of WorldFish Nigeria programs. Specifically, the objectives of
the meeting was to discuss the scoping and aquaculture value chain assessment
reports of 2017, achieve consensus on priority areas for research, discuss the
regional approach to program implementation including funding mechanisms,
discuss and recommend program based approach and modalities for the
establishment of WorldFish Nigeria program, and agree on a Country Program
Framework for Nigeria.
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