Adaptation of New Technologies by Fish Farmers in South East, Nigeria

Abstract— Adaptation of new technologies like intensive system of fish culture, processing of fish using modified drum ovum as well as other new technologies were studied in the South East Nigeria. Data collection for this study came from primary and secondary data. The primary data was generated through field survey using well-structured questionnaires as a major research instrument. The secondary data on the other hand were obtained through relevant literature ranging from textbooks, journals, articles, periodicals, seminar papers and proceedings. The result evinced that fish farmers in the entire south east used mainly intensive system of farming and less of extensive system of farming. Modified drum ovum is the most popular processing method preferred by all the fish farmers in the entire five south east states of Nigeria while choker kiln is the least. This can be attributed to its availability and affordability. The study recommends government support towards fish farming activities in the entire five South Eastern States of Nigeria. The farmers are encouraged to form cooperative societies or groups to gain easy access to credit facilities, they should also as a matter of urgency reorganize their various state Agricultural Development Programmes and recruit young fishery graduate that can be deployed in their state local government areas as well as providing financial assistance to these fish farmers through loans, subsidies in the form of feed, fish fingerlings, processing units etc. and organized special trainings in on-farm feed formulation, hatchery, fish processing, marketing, fish pond management and maintenance.