Nwafili SA * and Uchechi-Ibinabo J
Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, PMB 5323 Choba, Port Harourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
*Corresponding author: sylvanus.nwafili@uniport.edu.ng
The study was carried out to determine the hatchery knowledge and practices among catfish farmers in the Obio-Akpor District of Rivers State, Nigeria. Interviews and administered questionnaires were used to collect information on knowledge and practices associated with catfish hatcheries from 48 catfish farmers. The socio-economic analysis revealed that the farmers were predominantly males (62.5%) with formal education (93.75%) in primary school (25%), secondary education (18.75%), and higher education (50%). Using a 4-point Likert scale, catfish farmers were asked questions including the range of age and weight for brood stocks, conditioning, feeding and feeding frequency of the broodfish, feeding management of Fry/fingerlings, and their recommendations for government intervention. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results show that 85.42% of the catfish farmers had knowledge of and practice hatchery operations. Brood stock was sourced from different sources – mostly from other farms within the State (79.17%). The age of broodfish ranged from 2 to 3 years plus (89.58 and 79.17%) at the weight of 1.5 to 3.0kg (62.5-85.42% strongly agree and agree). Of the total respondents, 79.2% feed broodfish with commercial feeds while farm-made feed (10.4%) with the majority (54.17%) feeding once per day. Recommendations include the provision of extensions, the development of fast-growing strains, and central facilities for the procurement of improved brood stock. The result of the present study should inform ongoing research and development and policy changes to regulate the hatchery industry in Nigeria.