Plastic Marine Debris; Importance To Aquatic Environment And Human Health

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Globally, the fishery industry is significant in improving the economy as livelihoods of millions of people all over the world are dependent on it, especially, fish farming, playing a critical role of gainful employment, food and nutrition security for households (Green facts, 2008).Regrettably, Nigeria is not producing enough fish for consumption and also, the fishery industry is not providing the necessary financial empowerment needed by the fish farmers for one reason or the other (Foraminifera Market Research, 2016). Meanwhile, Nigeria has a high potential to develop fish farming to meet its increasing demand in fish food supply and reduce substantial fraction of her huge fish deficit of400,000 metric tons (Food and Agricultural Organisation of United Nations, 2006). Aquaculture development largely depends on the availability of high quality, affordable and sufficient quantity of fish-feed and fingerlings supply to end users all year round. Fish seed production in Nigeria has increased from 3 million in 2015 to about 30 million in 2012, and 55 million in 2007 (Federal Department of Fisheries, 2008). In spite of the increase, fish farmers are still confronted with challenge of insufficient supply and increased unit cost for production in fish seed and fish-feed enterprises. Both lead to high cost of input and eventual higher cost of fish as source of protein in the market. The task of meeting the increasing demand for fish-feed can be best realized through availability of local fish-feed production. Indigenous fish-feed enterprises are seen as an open approach because of ease of availability of local resources and access by farmers. In order to achieve this, an array of strategies has been adopted such as price policies, input subsidies, production credit and liberalization by governments and individuals (Foraminifera Market Research, 2016) to boost the output of these fish-feed enterprises, and hitherto their performance is low in terms of meeting the needs of the fish enterprise. It has become utterly crucial to budge extension focus from production-driven to market led extension which result in increased output and income. Market driven extension help entrepreneurs reduce production cost; improve quality, value and marketability of products leading to increase profitability of the entrepreneur. According to Osinem (2008) skill is the expertness, practiced ability or proficiency displayed in the performance of a task. The author explained that it is the ability to perform a task acquired through repetition of the operation. Okorie (2015) in his opinion said that to possess a skill is the demonstration of acting, thinking or behaving in a specific activity in such a way that the process becomes natural to the individual through repetition or practice. Skill in the context of this study is the ability of fish farmers to perform the various activities in fish feed production with maximum proficiency to ensure its steady supply for reduction of poverty in lives of the farmers. Marketing extension are measures which extension personnel take to assist their clientele in marketing (FAO, 2010). Consequently, for extension personnel to actually help in this regard, it is essential to apprise fish-feed entrepreneur’s perspective in the areas in which such help is needed for fish-feed marketing. This is because programmes and services can be effective only when they meet the felt needs and are confirmed by the target group that it has those needs (Oakley and Garforth, 2009) to enable continued adoption of fish-feed technologies for increased fish production. Feed production and quality is considered to be one of the major factors influencing the success of fish production in aquaculture.
The consumption and demand for fish as a cheap source of protein is on the increase in Africa, because of the level of poverty in the land. The vast majority of the fish supply in most cases comes from the rivers in the continent. While capture fisheries based on species that are presently exploited seem to have reached their natural limits (FAO, 2008c), there is considerable potential to expand aquaculture in Africa in order to improve food security (Kapetsy, 2012; Engle 2009, Jamu and Ayinla, 2013). Although potentials abound in the continent for the development of viable fish farming, one of the major hindrances to the development of aquaculture industry in Africa is the lack of locally produced high-quality fish feed. Fish requires high quality nutritionally balanced diet for growth and attainment of market size within the shortest possible time. Therefore, local production of fish feed is very crucial to the development and sustainability of aquaculture in Africa especially, in the rural areas. For aquaculture to thrive and bridge the already existing wide gap between fish demand and supply especially in the Sub-Saharan Africa, the vital role of locally produced fish feed in reducing production cost, thereby making fish farming attractive to both private and commercial investors and ultimately boost fish production cannot be overemphasized. This study looks at assessing the skills required by fish farmers in feed formulation as an enterprise.

1.2 Statement of Problem

Aquaculture is the fastest growing non-oil sector in the Niger Delta. Feed comprises more than 60 percent of the cost of raising farmed catfish, the dominant form of aquaculture in Nigeria. Field work around problems in the aquaculture sector consistently raises the issue of the “cost of feed being too high”, so there is demand to introduce solutions that can bring down the cost of feed. According to findings, feed constitute up to 60 percent of total operational costs in aquaculture production (Ozigbo, et al., 2014). Unfortunately, this percentage contribution is going higher as aqua feeds industry is hamstrung by many challenges including lack of feed ingredients and lack of trained personnel. It is against this background that this study was carried out to assess the skills required by fish farmers in feed formulation as an enterprise in Nigeria.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The major purpose of this study is to examine the skills required by fish farmers in feed formulation as an enterprise in Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are:

To examine the occupational skills required by fish farmers in feed formulation.

To examine the impact of occupational skills required by fish farmers in feed formulation on profitable farming.

To examine the methods used in fish feed formulation.

To examine challenges faced by fish farmers during feed formulation.

1.4 Research Questions

What are the occupational skills required by fish farmers in feed formulation?

What is the impact of occupational skills required by fish farmers in feed formulation on profitable farming?

What are the methods used in fish feed formulation?

What are the challenges faced by fish farmers during feed formulation?

1.5 Hypothesis

HO1: There is no significant relationship between skills required by fish farmers in feed formulation and profitability of fish farming in Nigeria.

1.6 Significance of the Study

It is hoped that the findings of this work will be of immense benefits to potential investors, farmers, extension workers and financial institutions to provide the most viable options for investment and opportunities for wealth creation. This research will also be useful to policy makers to develop strategy for development of a robust aquaculture industry to complement the livestock and agricultural cash crop productions that could translate into the much-needed industrial growth for the country.

1.7 Definition of Terms

Feed Formulation:

Is the process of quantifying the amounts of feed ingredients that need to be combined to form a single uniform mixture (diet) for fish that supplies all of their nutrient requirements.

Skills:

Is the learned ability to perform an action with determined results with good execution often within a given amount of time, energy, or both. Skills can often be divided into domain-general and domain-specific skills.

Fish Farming:

Involves commercial breeding of fish, usually for food, in fish tanks or artificial enclosures such as fish ponds.

Fish Farmers:

Refers to trained individuals who specialise in raising fish commercially in tanks or enclosures for human consumption

Enterprise:

Is another word for a for-profit business or company, but it is most often associated with entrepreneurial ventures.

1.8 Organization of Study

The study comprises of 5 chapters. In chapter one, the concepts are introduced and the problem of the study is established with the research objectives and questions. Chapter two presents the literature review while chapter three presents the research methodology. The fourth chapter presents the results and discussion, and the last chapter presents the conclusion and recommendation.