Aquaculture has significant contribution to increased fish production but poor management of water quality could threaten sustainability of aquatic ecosystem, aquaculture and fish production. For water management planning, this study investigated the proportion of fish farmers adopting water quality management techniques (WQMT), re asons for non-adoption, as well as sources of information for water quality management among fish farmers in an aquaculture hub, south-western Nigeria
Structured questionnaires was utilized to collect data on WQMT adoption, reasons for non-adoption and effective innovation communication media from 150 fish farmers (50 from each of Lagos, Oyo and Ogun states) in Southwest Nigeria.
Respondents had 45.96 ±1.28 years mean age, mostly had tertiary education and were aware of indigenous (94.0%) and modern techniques- Recirculating Aquaculture System-RAS (75.4%), water test kit (98.0%) Bioflocculation (40.1%), Phytoremediation (38.0%), Aquaponics (0.7%), Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System-RSGIS (9.3%). Adoption ranged from 0.0% (RSG IS, Phytoremediation, Aquaponics) to 40.7% (indigenous methods-mainly water exchange). Source of information on WQMT ranged from voluntary extension agents-VEA (0.7%) to formal extension services (16%). Reasons for non-adoption of WQMT was mainly multiple (68.6%respondents).
In conclusion, a wareness and adoption of modern WQMT- Bioflocculation , Phytoremediation, Aquaponics , Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System were low. The multiple challenges responsible for this could be solved through increased extension services. There is the need to improve awareness on and participation of voluntary extension agents among grassroot fish farmers in south western Nigeria.
Key words: Technology Transfer, Water Quality Management, Aquaculture, Voluntary Extension Agents