Catfish Aquaculture Industry Assessment in Nigeria

Abstract

This research covered randomly selected catfish farms, catfish hatcheries, processing plants, feed importers, local feed makers, catfish marketers and markets in Nigeria. A review of existing literature was carried out, structured questionnaires covering hatchery operators, catfish farms, marketers and processors were designed and administered to some farms using field assistants. Meetings were held with the Catfish Farmers associations, feed importers and sellers. Oral interviews were conducted with the staff of Fisheries Department in some States and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and cooperative. Production and sale data were analysed to determine cost of production and profitability of catfish farming business,