Role of catfish farmer’s association of Nigeria in adoption of aquaculture technologies in Lagos state

Abstract

Hindrances to the adoption of aquaculture technologies are lack of basic knowledge and financial capability to acquire the required production inputs. Solution to problems encountered by individual fish farmers can be overcome collectively by farmer’s group. This study was carried out to determine the roles of Catfish Farmer’s Association of Nigeria (CAFAN) in assisting fish farmers to adopt aquaculture technologies in Lagos State. Questionnaires were administered in Lagos state at their monthly general meeting to elicit information on CAFAN. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result revealed that 57% were males; married (82%) and all were educated. Different workshops/seminars/trainings on fish production were attended by the fish farmers through the influence of CAFAN. Attendance varied from 20% in fish harvesting technologies’ workshops to 61% in fish feed and feeding systems. Various  fish production techniques introduced to the members were adopted at different rate ranging from tilapia breeding (12%) to fish feed and feeding technologies (87%). Only 25% were beneficiaries of loan assistance from the CAFAN cooperative society which boosted fish production and profit by 44% to 200%. Chi-square analysis revealed that access to loan had significant influence (P<0.01) on profitability of fish production. It was recommended that awareness of the existence, relevance and activities of CAFAN should be intensified among fish farmers especially in the rural areas to enhance fish production in Nigeria as well as to improve the livelihood of the fish farmers through fish yield and profit improvement derived from the technologies adopted.