The Asia-Africa BlueTech Superhighway Project (AABS) is supported through the UK’s Climate and Ocean
Adaptation and Sustainable Transition (COAST) program under the umbrella of the Blue Planet Fund (BFP).

It focuses on enabling communities to adapt to and mitigate against climate change as well as responsibly and sustainably manage marine and coastal nature and resources, resulting in improved food and nutritional security as well as employment and income opportunities.

The objective of the workshop is to collectively understand the complexities within the Nigerian coastal
aquaculture systems and the dynamic environment in which they are embedded.

In addition, the workshop aims to explore the potential socio-ecological impact of scaling coastal integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems in Nigeria.

The results of the workshops will be used to develop a theory of change that informs project monitoring, evaluation, learning, and subsequent systemic-wide impact assessment for the AABS project.
Similar workshops will also be conducted with the other stakeholders in Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Bangladesh, where the AABS project operates.

The association appreciates the timing of the programme and involment of stakeholders from different strata and specialization for the workshop. Looking forward to development and impacts of integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems in Nigeria aquaculture industry.

According to a release on Worldfish website on the project.

The BlueTech Superhighway is framed around four synergistic work packages that assess, adapt, and scale evidence-based methods across different contexts in Africa and Asia. 

1. Bridging data gaps in small-scale aquatic food system
2. Integrated seawater farming for Africa
3. Tackling aquatic food loss and waste
4. Incentive-based coastal fisheries management

The South-South collaboration on the above work packages is underpinned by a country-to-country knowledge exchange platform—a forum to convene stakeholders from across the target countries, share challenges and solutions, and to learn from each other in an interactive, participatory approach. The exchange amongst countries will provide stakeholders access to practical ‘how-to’ knowledge of implementing technologies, offering a unique space to connect with peers in other countries, co-create actionable knowledge products, and spawn new ideas and innovations in a country-led environment, which can transcend beyond the program scope for greater cross-cutting returns.

Asia-Africa BlueTech Superhighway is a program under UK’s Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transition (COAST) program of the Blue Planet Fund. The program will contribute directly to COAST’s priority outcomes and impact.

Asia-Africa BlueTech Superhighway’s theory of change targets impact along six Sustainable Development Goals and contributions to the targets set within the Paris Agreement and African Union’s priorities on food systems transformation.

The Tilapia Aquaculture Developers Association participates in the ongoing workshop on the Diversification of Farming systems and species in Nigeria’s Aquaculture. The program is organised by Fish Innovation LAB and WorldFish in collaboration with other relevant national and international Fisheries Organisations between 31^st October to 2^nd November at IITA in Ibadan. 

The President of the Association Mr Remi Ahmed is expected to present a paper on the topic Diversification of Farming systems and species in Nigeria Aquaculture TADAN Perspectives.

The event has several speakers lineup for the programs which include stakeholders within the aquaculture industry in Nigeria and beyond. I will keep you posted as the events unfold.

Thanks

Adedeji F.A

National Secretary

TADAN

Tilapia Aquaculture Developers Association Nigeria TADAN

          Lagos, Nigeria

Dear Sir/Madam,

Attached is a brief description about the online training course ‘Aquaculture smallholder business development’ that will be held next year February-April. The course will be organized by Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation WCDI. Application for fellowships for this course is now open and can be submitted until October 11, 2022. Nigeria is in the list of countries eligible for OKP scholarships. Based on feedback of Nigeria participants in earlier versions of this course I believe that this course is relevant for many members of TADAN. I kindly ask you to make the attached information available to TADAN membership and to institutes and individuals involved in aquaculture in Nigeria. I thank you in advance.

Kind regards, 

Peter G.M. van der Heijden 
Aquaculture course coordinator

Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation (WCDI), Wageningen University & Research

P.O. Box 88,  6700 AB Wageningen, The Netherlands

Tel. +31 (0)317 481394 (direct), +31 (0)317 486800 (reception)

Fax +31 (0)317 486801

Skype: peter.g.m.van.der.heijden

E-mail  peter.vanderheijden@wur.nl

Web site: www.wageningenur.nl/cdi

www.facebook.com/CDIwageningenUR

www.twitter.com/CDIwageningenUR

Aquaculture Smallholder Business Development

 

🐟 💦 The production of fish and other aquatic animals from capture fisheries is not enough to supply the growing global demand for seafood. Aquaculture production has grown steadily in the past decades in response to this demand. Aquaculture now supplies half of the fish and seafood consumed by people. Small producers do play an important role in the supply of fish especially on local level, but individual small producers face many challenges.

✅The Global aquaculture situation

✅Position of small-scale aquaculture producers

✅Producing quality fish and other aquatic products in a responsible way

✅Relations with public and private actors that have a direct or indirect stake in aquaculture sector development;

✅Challenges for the management and performance of aquaculture producer organizations;
✅ Development of aquaculture small producer-inclusive programs.

💰🍊 If you want to apply for a scholarship for this online course from the Orange Knowledge Programme or the MENA Scholarship Programme from @NufficGlobalDevelopment, make sure to finish your application before 11 October. Do not postpone your scholarship application to the last week because obtaining all the documents required may take a week or two.

Persons who are interested to participate in this course should:

• Be able to communicate (read, speak and write) in English language;
• Have an education at BSc level in a subject relevant for aquaculture and fisheries development’
• Have 3 or more years of working experience in the field of aquaculture.

More information & registration 👉🏻 https://bit.ly/3vzaVGC    and    How to apply – WUR

Countries eligible for the OKP program: 

Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Colombia, Congo (DRC), Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen and Zambia.

Countries eligible for the MENA (also called MSP) program:

Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Tunisia

INTRODUCTION OF PLATEAU STATE CHAPTERS PIONEER EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS

This is to bring to the notice of general public the formation of the Plateau State Chapter of the Tilapia Aquaculture Developers Association Nigeria . The following Distinguished individuals hereby represent and coordinates the activities of Tilapia Aquaculture Developers Asssociation Nigeria in Plateau State Nigeria.

STATE EXECUTIVE OFICERS 

1. Professor Keziah Vou  Absalom  (Mfs 680)- Chairman

2. Mr. Albert Tokat – Vice Chairman (Mfs289)

3. Mr. Irimiya Gatba Garba -Secretary (08030752994)

4. Mr. Samson Akawu – Assistant Secretary

5. Mr. Daweng Moses Pam – Financial Secretary

6. Professor Pandan Yamsat- Treasurer

MEMBERS

7. Professor John Wokton Wade (Ffs 052)

8. Dr. Mrs Julie Anpe (Ffs 330)

9. Dr. Mrs. Sarah Musa

10. Mr. Bulus Gofwen 

11. Gotom Newman 

12. Joel Man’s

13. Saylvester Irimiya

14. Nankpan Dashe

15. Samson Mafuyai

16.Mrs. Phoebe Rabo  

17.Mr. Danung  Bitrus Monday

18.Mr. Daniel Binjin

19. Dr. Daniel Kakwi

20. Mr. Adefemi Odueko

21.Mr. Nentawe Wophill

22.Mr. Chomo Peter Gyang

23. Mr. Nanklind Samuel

24.Mr. Jol Augustine

25.Mr. Ishaku Samchi

26. Mr. Garba Bisat

27. Lt Col. Nuhu Richard Gyang

28. Mr. Nathaniel Ardel

29. Mrs. Matawal Rachael

30. Mr. T.M. Wuyep

Membership of the association is in agreement with aims and objectives of the association as contained in the constitution of the association . We look forward to contributions of members to the overall development of Tilapia Aquaculture in Nigeria and beyond.

Thanks for your cooperation and support

Press Release: WorldFish signs agreement with Premium Aquaculture Limited to transfer GIFT to Nigeria



Highlights

The transfer of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) fry will kickstart a new domestic industry in Nigeria for tilapia farming leading to improved livelihoods as well as food and nutrition security among the Nigerian population.

ALEXANDRIA, March 26, 2022 – WorldFish announced today an inclusive legal agreement with Premium Aquaculture Limited for the transfer of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) to Nigeria. This agreement will augur the establishment of a GIFT-based aquaculture industry in Nigeria. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are collaborating with WorldFish and PAL on this endeavor with the aim of having WorldFish/PAL GIFT tilapia in Nigerian fish markets by late 2023.  

Elaborating on the agreement, WorldFish Project Leader for the Bill and Melinda Gates Project Dr. Colin Shelley said:

“This agreement reflects WorldFish’s ambitions for future growth and investment in the African continent and its confidence to impact at scale to support small-scale aquaculture producers charter their pathway out of poverty.”

Tilapia is one of the most important groups of aquaculture species in the world. In 2018, of the 82.1 million metric tons of aquaculture food-fish production, 5.5 million metric tons came from tilapia — 81 percent of which was Nile tilapia (Oreochromisniloticus).

The main bottleneck to expanding tilapia aquaculture and production – including through smallholder-based farming – is the lack of a systematically managed and maintained breeding population to produce high-quality seed in required quantities that are accessible to farmers year-round.

On the importance of fish to Nigeria, WorldFish Project Advisor Dr.RohanaSubasinghe said:

“Fish is critically important to Nigeria for food and nutritional security, foreign exchange, employment and livelihoods. Yet, a steep change in supplies and distribution is necessary over the next 20 years to realize its full potential.”

Recognizing the importance of using an improved variety of tilapia to support the necessary growth of the tilapia sector, the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in Nigeria recently made an official request to WorldFish to transfer GIFT – a Nile tilapia variety genetically improved through decades of selective breeding by WorldFish – from Malaysia to Nigeria and to assist in creating a GIFT seed industry in the country.

WorldFish’s GIFT has been distributed to many developing nations. Several studies have identified socio-economic benefits arising from farming GIFT, including improved rural income and employment. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the economic internal rate of return on investments in GIFT development and dissemination was more than 70 percent over a period from 1988 to 2010, with an estimated net present value of $368 million in constant 2001 prices. It has been estimated that nearly 50 percent of global Nile tilapia aquaculture production is now GIFT and GIFT-derived. About 75 percent of tilapia consumed in developing countries appear to be GIFT, confirming that the strain has the greatest potential for alleviating global poverty and hunger and improving nutrition.

In general, tilapia is a food commodity with a low-carbon footprint in terms of greenhouse gas emissions that can improve the resilience of both small-scale farms and the overall food system. WorldFish believes that transferring GIFT will kickstart a new domestic industry in Nigeria for tilapia farming. It would increase smallholder income and employment, deliver significant quantities of new fish products to narrow the fish supply-demand gap and lead to better nutrition and health among the Nigerian population. Small-scale producer GIFT farming would create an industry that will increase the availability of a low-carbon food commodity in the Nigerian markets.

On the purpose of the research and development (R&D) program, WorldFish Nigeria Country Manager Dr. Sunil Siriwardena explained:

“In partnership with BMGF and USAID, WorldFish is investing in an R&D program that will provide the foundation for establishing a sustainable private sector-based GIFT seed and grow-out industry in Nigeria. This program is designed to (a) prepare and bio-securely transfer GIFT from Malaysia to Nigeria, (b) establish a GIFT breeding population for disease-free broodstock/seed dissemination and (c) establish a healthy GIFT seed industry/business and GIFT-seed-based smallholder out-grower business/industry in Nigeria.”

GIFT fry will be transferred from WorldFish Headquarters in Malaysia to Premium Aquaculture Limited’s, secured quarantine facility in Nigeria’s Ogun State under a robust environmental risk management program and strategy. Premium Aquaculture, a subsidiary of Stallion Group, is the largest tilapia producer in Nigeria. In collaboration with PAL and the Government of Nigeria, WorldFish has completed a full-scale GIFT transfer risk assessment and the fry transfer will take place in May 2022.

On the impact of the collaboration between PAL and WorldFish, Premium Aquaculture Limited Senior Manager Mr, Govinda Raju says:

“This technical collaboration is poised to propagate and disseminate WorldFish’s 17th generation fast-growing strain of GIFT tilapia in Nigeria. We are highly confident that it will boost tilapia production in the country as well as farmers’ income.”

The agreement also involves the establishment of a parental broodstock as well as to breed, propagate and disseminate fry and fingerling across Nigeria. Regular health checks will be conducted during the growth of the fry. Second-generation progeny resulting from the original stock from Malaysia will be transferred to other states for breeding and grow-out in both ponds and cage systems in Nigeria. As Nile tilapia is a native species in Nigeria, the freshwater habitats of Nigeria are suitable for growth and propagation.

This is the first private sector partnership between WorldFish and a hatchery operator. It reflects WorldFish’s intention to commercialize its genetic assets, work toward financially sustainable operations and reduce its dependency on donor funding for its genetic R&D.

The fish to be transferred will be generation 17 from WorldFish’s genetics program and represent the fastest-growing fish yet

Pitch AgriHack 2019 winners awarded a total of €60k in prize
Seven startups that came out tops at the Pitch AgriHack 2019 competition earlier this month have been awarded a total of €60 000 in prizes.

Pitch AgriHack aims to support the growth of business services offered by agritech startups as well as contribute to accelerate the adoption of innovations that bring about stronger productivity within the agrifood sector.

The competition is run by The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Co-operation (CTA) in partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (Agra), the OCP Group, GreenTec Capital Africa Foundation, GreenTec Capital Africa,World Bank, and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

In a statement earlier this month, CTA said it had selected 22 finalists (see profiles of them in this PDF) — 11 of which were women led — from among 326 startups that had applied.

The finalists underwent training in a bootcamp that was held before pitching their solutions to potential investors and a judging panel at the closing plenary of the African Green Revolution Forum that was held in Accra on 6 September.

This year’s winners hail from Ghana, Kenya Uganda, and Nigeria. They are:

Early-stage startups category:

Profish (Ghana): Profish was awarded €7500 for its Lojaanor USSD platform which enables the startup to provide logistical services and market access to fish farmers.
Savanna Circuit Tech (Kenya): Savanna Circuit was awarded €5000 for its Maziwaplus Prechiller and M+ Milk Collection App.
Mature stage startup category:

Jaguza Tech (Uganda): Jaguza is an online and offline, cloud-based livestock management system that incorporates the use of low-cost sensors, drones, livestock collars and GPS trackers to gather real-time information about location, speed, body temperature and stress levels of livestock. The solution was awarded €15 000.
Arinifu Technologies (Kenya): Arinifu Technologies has developed a smart brooder environmental control device which helps chicken farmers regulate temperature and humidity. The solution was awarded €12 500.
Public Choice Award:

Trackball Global Technologies (Nigeria): Trackball Global Technologies is developing AgriCo, a web-based mobile application that will help improve the productivity and profitability of urban farming by providing farmers with best production practices, farm management tools, access to inputs, produce markets and micro-credits. The startup was awarded a Public Choice Award of €5000 for the solution.
Data Analytics Award:

Foodlocker Limited(Nigeria): Foodlocker offers procurement efficiency, convenience, affordability, and pricing regularity to large buyers of farm-fresh foodstuff by aggregating and lightly processing smallholder farmer outputs and delivering those outputs directly to our customers, who include food processors, exporters, hotels, restaurants, bars, and retailers. The startup received the Data Analytics Award of €10 000.
GreenTec Award

TechShelta (Ghana): TechShelta’s web and mobile app enables greenhouse farmers to have on-demand access to advisory information, automation services and market linkages. The startup was the recipient of the GreenTech Award of €5000.
CTA said since the launch of the AgriHack Talent initiative in 2013, the services of entrants have reached over one million farmers and agricultural stakeholders, with participants having raised over €2-million from investors and partners.

CTA director Michael Hailu said in the same statement that through the Pitch AgriHack competition, the centre has discovered “self-taught youngsters” who are full of ideas and determination, which he said are providing answers to some of Africa’s persistence .

The Tilapia and Aquaculture Developers Association of Nigeria (TADAN) on Tuesday decried the exemption of Tilapia, a farmed fish species, from the Federal Government’s import prohibition list.
The association’s National President, Mr. Remi Ahmed, expressed the association’s displeasure with the list in Lagos.
Ahmed said that the omission from the official prohibition list by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) would send a negative signal to the international community.
He said the Nigerian Tilapia farming model was currently being appreciated globally and this would mean unregulated importation of the commodity to retard local production.
“This is coming when the international community is happy with the level of work done in Nigeria’s Tilapia sub-sector.
“Within the short period Tilapia was introduced to Nigeria, we have been able to develop and produce Tilapia feed within the country that is better than the ones used in most African countries.
“Let government stop the importation of Tilapia into the country because afterwards, the smuggled Tilapia will not allow local producers to get ready-made markets.
“Restriction of Tilapia importation is not even enough, we want an outright ban because we are producing a lot and we can meet the Tilapia deficit if given the right playing field, ‘’ Ahmed said.
The president also told NAN that he had over 10 tonnes of farmed Tilapia stored in cold rooms because the smuggled ones were crashing the market price, making it seem like locally produced ones were expensive.
On Tilapia production in Nigeria, Ahmed said that there were bigger farmers across the country and this development would chase entrants and discourage current producers in the long run.
“I have nothing less than 10 tonnes of Tilapia waiting for delivery and I am one of the smallest producers, there is Ejide Farms and others, our fishes are staying too long with us.
“Some of us have invested so much money in the facilities where we farm Tilapia, so, do we remove them now and start doing what? The cost of power and others are serious challenges, so this is not encouraging.
“These importers of the commodity are enjoying grants and other incentives from their countries which is why when the fish is brought here it is very cheap.
“Here, we do not have any sort of support from the government, and this is the height of it,” he said.
Ahmed said that in 2017, the NCS intercepted a 40-foot container containing Tilapia and during the briefing informed Nigerians that Tilapia was banned.
Contributing, the Vice-President of TADAN, Mr Nurudeen Tiamiu, told NAN that the government should collaborate with real stakeholders in the sector to fashion out a roadmap to develop farmed fish in the country.
Tiamiu said that the aquaculture sector had been besieged by people who were not known fish farmers, making and taking decisions on behalf of the real-time producers.
Tiamiu said: “I see no reason why the Ministry of Finance is making policies on fish import, while the Ministry of Agriculture is not doing anything for stakeholders.
“We have a bunch of stakeholders, you have not met with them and have not seen their capabilities in production and that means the Nigerian government do not understand the issues to be addressed when it comes to food safety.
“We do not even know the quantity of Tilapia needed for consumption, we only know that we have 15 million metric tonnes of fish deficit.
“The exemption of Tilapia from the import prohibition list is not a good development because we have spent so much money in production and dealt with unforeseen environmental issues.
“If insurance that is not structured at the end of the day, you cannot compete with what comes in from China and other competing countries.
“Let government meet with stakeholders and fashion out a roadmap to develop farmed fish and farmed fish is the only way aquaculture can survive in Nigeria,’’ Tiamiu Said.
The National Secretary of the association , Mr Abiodun Adedeji, said that stakeholders were not duly consulted before the decision to strike out Tilapia from the list was made.
According to Adedeji, the decision is made without ascertaining the effects on local producers of the fish.
“It is not a good decision and I am sure that the ministry did not get stakeholders’ opinion on this matter to ascertain how the exemption will affect the local producer of the fish.
“We are already facing problems with market pricing as a result of importation through neighbouring countries which usually brings down market price for Tilapia.
“Whereas Nigeria farmers produce with higher production cost as against the lower imported price of the same products.
“This decision will affect investment in Tilapia aquaculture by foreign investors.
“Government is expected to protect the industry by doing things in active consultation with stakeholders and also encourage these importers to invest in local production in Nigeria, ‘’ he said.
The Import Prohibition List by the NCS restricts importation of items.

Nigeria workshop seeks to scale up proven technologies, boost aquaculture production in West and Central Africa

6 August 2018
Participants from several West and Central African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin and Cameroon, will convene in Abuja, Nigeria on 6–7 August 2018 to discuss approaches to boosting aquaculture production in the region under the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) program.
Funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), TAAT is a knowledge- and innovation-based response to the need to scale up proven technologies across Africa. The program aims to support AfDB’s Feed Africa Strategy to eliminate the continent’s current high import of food through ‘commodity technology delivery compacts’ between implementing institutions, including WorldFish.
David Shearer, WorldFish Director, International Partnerships and Program Delivery: “Aquaculture is one of the key compacts of TAAT. It has a special focus around self-sufficiency of inland fisheries, which is also a WorldFish objective. Our engagement with the TAAT program will enable us to achieve our goal of improving the diversity of fish in people’s diet.”
Specifically, the aquaculture compact aims to ensure access to improved fish seed by 80 percent of fish farmers, a 20 percent increase in aquaculture production, a 10-30 percent reduction in fish imports, improved household nutrition and employment creation for youth in the value chain.
During the workshop, which is being organized by WorldFish, delegates from participating countries, representing stakeholders from the private sector, national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES), universities, research institutions and others, will present their main challenges and opportunities, current programs for aquaculture development and baseline data on aquaculture production.
A similar workshop was organized from 9-10 July 2018 in Nairobi for East and Southern African countries (Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia).
Dr. Harrison, Country Director, WorldFish Egypt and Nigeria: “By applying proven innovative technologies, TAAT is already transforming the aquaculture value chains across the continent. By embracing new technologies and ways of doing things, Africa is likely to catch up and surpass other aquaculture-producing regions of the world, thereby enhancing food security, creating jobs and uplifting the livelihoods of rural women and the youth.”
In the same week as the Abuja workshop, Dr. Gareth Johnstone, WorldFish Director General, will visit Nigeria to meet government officials and other stakeholders.
Nigeria is a new focal country for WorldFish, which is hosted by the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan. During the visit, Dr. Johnstone will discuss further avenues for collaboration between the two institutions as well as other regional bodies such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
For more information or to request an interview, contact:
Prof. Bernadette Fregene (Aquaculture Compact Leader)
Mobile tel: +234 803 347 618 4
Email: B.Fregene@cgiar.org
Web: worldfishcenter.org / fish.cgiar.org
Photography: flickr.com/photos/theworldfishcenter

Increasing human population coupled with improved awareness of the benefits of eating fish has led to the present growing demand for fish and fish products. This demand is current beyond supply globally and especially in Africa. African lags behind the world in fish consumption, consuming about 10 kg per person per year. Africa will need to double its fish production from both fisheries and aquaculture by 2030 to cater for present consumption levels. The scale of this challenge requires research innovations across the whole spectrum of aquaculture and fisheries production systems and associated value chains.

In line with CGIAR Research Program on fish agri-food systems (FISH CRP), the WorldFish Strategy 2017-2022 prioritizes the expansion of research programs into focal and scaling countries in Africa. This is a means for responding to emerging opportunities for partnerships, influence and impact in fisheries and aquaculture. Nigeria is one of WorldFish focal countries whose research program is being established. The development of the research program in Nigeria by WorldFish is geared towards fostering  strong partnerships and developing an appropriate level of engagement through establishment of offices, having appropriate staff presence, and determination of an appropriate research agenda.

In the past year, WorldFish has worked with partners to bring about a number of key developments in Nigeria. These include the country scoping and completion of the value chain assessment led by the University of Ibadan, and the approval for funding of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) program by the Board of the African Development Bank. The aquaculture value chain compact under TAAT,which is being led by WorldFish, will be undertaken in several prioritized African countries consisting of Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria from where it will be coordinated. Since Nigeria also hosts the Regional Aquaculture Centre of Excellence, under West and Central Africa Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD), CORAF will have a major role to play in establishing the WorldFish research program in Nigeria.In support of the development of WorldFish country research program in Nigeria,WorldFish and the Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will co-host a two-day Stakeholders workshop on 20-21 March 2018. The meeting will take place at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja and will bring together a diverse group of participants including donors, government officials, regional and national research organizations, and stakeholders from the aquaculture and fisheries industry.

Objectives:

This main objective of this workshop is to bring together different stakeholders to deliberate on steps towards establishment of WorldFish Nigeria programs. Specifically,the objectives of the meeting are:

(i) Discuss the scoping and aquaculture value chain assessment reports (2017);

(ii) Present small-scale fishery status in the country;

(iii) Discuss early implementation of TAAT;

(iv) Discuss the West African Agriculture Productivity Program (WAAPP) and the potential inclusion of aquaculture and the Centre of Excellence designed for Nigeria

(v) Discuss and recommend program based approach and modalities for the establishment of WorldFish Nigeria program.

Expected outcomes

The workshop is expected develop a roadmap for the establishment of the WorldFish Nigeria country research program and set up the research agenda for the intervening period. The workshop will review the ongoing activities and align them with the broader

WorldFish strategy and Fish CRP. Participants

Participants to the workshop will include fish farmers, fishers and their associations, fish feed manufacturers, input providers, processors, officials from the Government of Nigeria, universities, WorldFish, regional economic commissions including and development partners.

WORKSHOP PROGRAM

Opportunities in Partnering with WorldFish – David Shearer- Director, International Partnership, WorldFish

Address by- Dr Yvonne Pinto- Chairman of the Board of Trustees, WorldFish

Key note Address and Official opening of the Workshop – Honourable Minister of Agriculture

• Introduction and Expectations of Workshop Participants
• Objectives of the Workshop and Fish CRP in Africa – Dr. Harrison Karisa, Country Director Egypt and Nigeria, WorldFish
• Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Nigeria, FDF perspective and ongoing research projects- Istifanus Pwaspo

. Aquaculture Value Chain Assessment in Oyo State, Nigeria Report – Prof. Bernadette T. Fregene and Prof. Bola Omonona

. Discussions and recommendations

• Fish for Food, Nutrition and Income through Enabling Youth in Nigeria: Scoping Report -Dr. Rohana Subasinghe
• Discussions and recommendations

Group Discussion on Challenges of Aquaculture and Fisheries Development

• Grp 1: Sustainable Aquaculture: Fish breeds and genetics
• Grp 2: Sustainable Aquaculture: Fish Health, Nutrition and feeds
• Grp 3: Sustaining Small scale fisheries
• Grp 4: Value Chains and Nutrition: Production systems, Post-harvest handling and nutrition

Presentation of Group Reports on Challenges

Discussion of Group Reports

Recap of Previous Day Programmes

• Breeding Programs and Genetically Improved Fish Seed – Dr Harrison Karisa
• Q&A
• Fish Feed and Survival of the Aquaculture Industry in Nigeria – Dr. Rodrigue Yossa
• Q&A

. Fish Production, Value Addition, Market Linkages – Experiences from across the world- Prof. Bernadette T. Fregene

. Discussion and Recommendation

Group Formation & Objectives: Priority research activities and Practical steps -Creating synergies with Fish CRP

Group Discussions: Priority research activities and Practical steps

• Grp 1: Sustainable Aquaculture: Fish breeds and genetics
• Grp 2: Sustainable Aquaculture: Fish Health, Nutrition and feeds

Group Discussions: Priority research activities and Practical steps (continued)

Grp 3: Sustaining Small scale fisheries

• Grp 4: Value Chains and Nutrition: Production systems, Post-harvest handling and nutrition

Presentations by the Groups

• Grp 1: Sustainable Aquaculture: Fish breeds and genetics
• Grp 2: Sustainable Aquaculture: Fish Health, Nutrition and feeds
• Grp 3: Sustaining Small scale fisheries
• Grp 4: Value Chains and Nutrition: Production systems, Post-harvest handling and nutrition

• Discussion

Next Steps – David Shearer

Closing Remarks