Technical report on hatcher partnering; A UKaid sponsored aquaculture intervention program of Convention on Business Integrity (CBI) in Kwara state, Nigeria.

Abstract

African catfish species that comprise of Clarias gariepinus, Heterobranchus longifilis, Heterobranchus bidorsalis and their reciprocal hybrids are the predominantly cultured species in Nigeria. The massive adoption of intensive rearing systems including the water recirculating and the water flow-through production systems has further enhanced productivity, promoting catfish culture to a full fledge industry in Nigeria. However, preponderance of catfish hatcheries established by untrained hands has resulted in the production of poor quality seeds (fingerlings and juveniles), and low productivity due to heavy mortality that most hatchers are unable to handle. An earlier BIF study lend credence to these developments, with the consequence of poor productivity by Small Scale Fish Farmers (the final up-takers of the poor quality seeds), and the danger of the industry becoming unsustainable.