The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) FISH4ACP initiative is hosting a global forum on aquatic food value chains. The Blue Food Forum will be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on 12-13 September 2024 and will showcase good practices and lessons learned from FISH4ACP and related initiatives, contributing to the global conversation on sustainable food systems transformation. 

Early results of FISH4ACP’s work demonstrate the power of its innovative value chain approach in stimulating inclusive growth, enhancing food security, and minimizing environmental impacts. The forum will provide a platform for sharing knowledge with public and private sector representatives, value chain experts, partner organizations, and the donor community. 

FISH4ACP is an initiative of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) aimed at making fisheries and aquaculture value chains in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific more sustainable. FISH4ACP is implemented by FAO with funding from the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).  

FISH4ACP initiative in Nigeria 

FAO’sFISH4ACP initiative is supportingNigeria, the world’s largest producer of African catfish, in taking significant steps toward self-sufficiency in fish production. With the nation’s fish demand far exceeding domestic production, FISH4ACP prioritizes aquaculture, particularly focusing on job creation and business opportunities for women and youth. 

FISH4ACP aims to stimulate Nigeria’s catfish sector by improving access to key export markets and enhancing productivity, supporting domestic production of high-quality fish seed and feed, among others. 

“The FISH4ACP project has brought a revolutionary change to Nigeria's catfish industry through its cluster intervention approach,” said Abubakar Usman, National Professional Officer for FISH4ACP at FAO Nigeria.  

There’s also an increasing awareness of the health benefits of eating fish, actively supported by government through school feeding. 

Empowering farmers through clusters 

The catfish industry in Nigeria is predominantly composed of small-scale farmers operating traditional fishponds. As the industry evolves, there is a growing trend towards commercial catfish farming. FISH4ACP is fostering the development of six catfish clusters across Nigeria, reaching an estimated 600 farmers. These clusters enable farmers to pool resources, share investments, and gain better access to inputs, energy, processing, and markets. By working together, farmers can negotiate better prices for feed and equipment, exchange knowledge, and mitigate risks such as disease outbreaks. 

Marcus Adegbenro Adeyemi, CEO of Ijebu Development Initiative for Poverty Reduction and Founder of Eriwe Fish Farm Village, shared the impact of FISH4ACP’s training on his farm: “We discovered that we were not being scientific in our approach. FISH4ACP’s training has introduced us to modern practices like test cropping and spreadsheet calculations, which have significantly improved our productivity and profitability.” 

Sustainability and market expansion 

FISH4ACP’s support is enabling Nigerian catfish farmers to adopt best practices in farm management and operations. These improvements are expected to increase local production, making catfish more affordable and reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported fish. This initiative will also help stabilize the country’s fish supply, conserve foreign exchange reserves, and promote self-sufficiency. 

Fatima Bolanle Salaudeen, Executive Director of Zara and Nur Farms, and a member of the Association of Fish Farmers in Kwara State, highlighted the benefits of the training provided by FAO: “The ability to calculate my Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) before harvest has been a game-changer. It enables me to make informed decisions, ensuring that my fish respond well to their feed and improving overall farm efficiency.” 

Contact 

Name: Milena Rivolova                                            David Karls Tsokar                                Chukwuka Kelvin Nwachukwu

Title: Communications and Reporting Specialist         Communication Specialist                      Communication and Reporting Specialist

Office: FAO Nigeria, Abuja                                        FAO Nigeria, Abuja                               FAO Nigeria, Maiduguri Sub-office

Email: milena.rivolova@fao.org                                 [email protected]                           [email protected]

                                                                           Country Twitter Handle: @faonigeria