In 2004, Aqua-Green Integrated Farming Support Initiative (AGI) partnered with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to execute a critical project aimed at building the capacity of hatchery managers across the Niger Delta. This initiative targeted a key bottleneck in aquaculture: the need for skilled hatchery managers to produce high-quality fish seedlings that would improve productivity across the value chain.
The program provided a comprehensive training experience for hatchery managers from Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Cross River states. Participants were trained in modern fish breeding techniques, including spawning, broodstock selection, and larval management. Special focus was given to water quality management and the implementation of biosecurity protocols to minimize disease outbreaks and improve seedling survival rates.
AGI introduced participants to state-of-the-art tools such as sorting and grading equipment, recirculatory aquaculture systems (RAS), and water filtration technologies. Practical workshops allowed trainees to gain hands-on experience in hatchery operations, covering the entire lifecycle from breeding to fingerling distribution.
Additionally, the program included training on data management and tracking, enabling hatchery managers to monitor growth rates, feed efficiency, and health metrics. This level of technical expertise not only boosted productivity but also ensured that hatcheries could meet the growing demand for quality fingerlings from local fish farms.
By the end of the program, over 500 hatchery managers had been trained, resulting in a 35% increase in fingerling production across the Niger Delta. These improvements had a cascading impact, enhancing the productivity of aquaculture operations regionally and reducing the reliance on imported fish seedlings.
Key Features:
- Advanced Training: Practical instruction on breeding, larval care, and hatchery biosecurity.
- Modern Tools: Introduction of RAS and water filtration systems for efficiency and sustainability.
- Disease Prevention: Comprehensive workshops on biosecurity protocols to minimize risks.
- Productivity Focus: Training designed to improve survival rates and maximize hatchery output.
- Regional Impact: Development of a skilled workforce that strengthened the aquaculture value chain.
This case study underscores AGI’s leadership in capacity building and innovation within the aquaculture sector, laying the groundwork for a more productive and self-reliant fish farming industry in Nigeria.
Cross River (state) · Akwa Ibom · Bayelsa · Elelenwo, Nigeria · Bénin, Nigeria · Delta State · Rivers State · Imo (state) · Aba, Nigeria
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