Farm to Fork

Fish is an important source of food, income, employment, and recreation for many people around the world and it is a very important source of protein for both man and livestock in developed and developing countries. In Nigeria, the current demand for fish is about four times the level of local production. Humans consume approximately 80 percent of the catch as food. The remaining 20 percent goes into the manufacturing of products such as fish oil, fertilizers, and animal food. Fisheries and aquaculture are integral parts of agriculture which were found to have the capacity to increase the country’s GDP and can solve the unemployment problem for our youths if adequately managed.

Fish farming (pisciculture) involves raising fish commercially in tanks or enclosures such as fish ponds, usually for food. It is the principal form of aquaculture, while other methods may fall under mariculture. A facility that releases juvenile fish into the wild for recreational fishing or to supplement a species’ natural numbers is generally referred to as a fish hatchery. Worldwide, the most important fish species produced in fish farming are carp, tilapia, salmon, and catfish.

In Nigeria today, it is important that one has additional skills aside from one’s course of study. Therefore, the Nutrido program aims to train its members on fish farming, thus giving the students an advantage over their mates. The knowledge of fish farming will be beneficial to them as it will provide them with an affordable source of protein and source of income, which can help them build their self-confidence and independence.

Fish farming in our partner schools will involve full participation of the students. About 2 week old catfish fingerlings and the feeds will be provided to the students. The fingerlings will be raised in the schools’ ponds or the provided aquarium. The students will be grouped to different days of the week to feed the fish. And once the fish get to marketable age, they will be sold to parents and school staff by the students.