Nasarawa Catfish Farmers Celebrate Business Boom

Catfish farmers and sellers in Nasarawa State are enjoying a remarkable boom in their trade, driven by high demand and improved market conditions.

In interviews conducted in Karu Local Government Area, the farmers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the business has experienced a significant upswing, thanks in part to the affordability and availability of catfish as a protein source for lower-income households. The national demand for fish, pegged at 3.6 million metric tonnes annually, far exceeds domestic production—fueling interest in catfish farming.

Mr. Uduak Solomon, a veteran fish farmer in New Nyanya’s Angwan Tiv community, shared that he turned to catfish farming after retiring from his role as a security officer in 2016. He described the recent months as the most profitable yet, attributing his success to increased demand during the Easter and Sallah holidays and a drop in feed costs.

“In 2024, a bag of Blue Crown feed sold for ₦29,500; today, it goes for ₦26,200. That price drop has really helped us,” he said. According to Solomon, catfish now sells between ₦2,800 and ₦3,500 per kilo, down from ₦4,800 last year.

He urged fellow farmers to sell their fish at current market prices rather than wait for speculative gains, which could backfire.

Fish seller Mrs. Margret Audu also reported brisk sales, noting a growing demand from restaurants and eateries. While fresh catfish remains a staple, she observed that dried catfish is gaining popularity due to its longer shelf life. However, she cited transportation costs as a major challenge and appealed for government support in the form of grants and logistics equipment.

Mr. Bala Suleiman, who has been in the business for 12 years, reflected on his tough start, including funding constraints, high fish mortality, and theft. He credited cooperative society loans and resilience for his eventual success. His advice to farmers: maintain regular pond hygiene and fish sorting to boost yield.

Ms. Elizabeth Aonodongu, another fish seller, described catfish as a profitable venture that has helped sustain her family. She noted that her farm sold over six million catfish in the past three months, supplying local bars and exporting some batches abroad.

While she experienced a slow start to the year due to costly hatching materials and unreliable buyers who delay payments, Aonodongu remains optimistic. She urged young farmers to view challenges as opportunities and remain consistent.

Despite persistent logistical and financial obstacles, the overall sentiment among Nasarawa catfish farmers is one of optimism as the industry continues to expand.