Catfish Farmers Urge Government to Boost Sector Productivity
The Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria (CAFAN) has appealed to the Federal Government for increased support to enhance catfish production and tap into its export potential.
Speaking with newsmen in Lagos, CAFAN National Chairman, Mr. Sunday Onoja, highlighted the challenges hindering production, including limited access to capital and feed inputs. He emphasized that government intervention is critical for scaling up operations to meet both local and international demands.
“Local farmers know how to grow catfish, but scaling to mass production requires substantial capital and quality feed,” Onoja said. “These are necessary to set up facilities for large-scale cultivation and to produce fish that meet international standards.”
Onoja also underscored the importance of high-quality feed in ensuring export-worthy catfish. He called for investments in both infrastructure and operational support to drive growth in the sector.
“To boost output, we need government assistance in providing inputs, feeds, and financial support to establish and maintain large-scale operations,” he added.
The CAFAN chairman further noted untapped opportunities in the catfish value chain, such as oil extraction, which could significantly increase farmers’ revenue if pursued on a commercial scale.
“Exploring catfish oil production requires large quantities of fish, so increasing our production capacity is vital,” Onoja explained.
He reiterated that with adequate support, Nigeria’s catfish farmers could meet domestic needs and establish a strong presence in international markets, ultimately generating export revenue for the country.
