Fish farming is an important agricultural activity that contributes to Nigeria’s economy, and is set to improve the nation’s food security, employment, and income generation. Despite its potential, aquaculture faces several challenges including inadequate infrastructure, limited access to resources, climate change, and environmental issues that affect the productivity and sustainability of fish farms. Among these challenges, an aggressive expansion of water hyacinth has been negatively impacting the Nigerian aquaculture. It creates dense mats that block sunlight, reduces oxygen levels, restricts fish movement and access to food, causes fish mortalities, and increases operational costs for fish farmers. Addressing the adverse impacts of this invasive non-indigenous species (NIS) on aquaculture in Nigeria is therefore important. Effective control methods such as mechanical excavation or biological control are widely recognized, but their success heavily depends on community support and financial contributions.
Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate perceptions of communities of water hyacinth’s environmental and economic impacts, focusing on its implication for aquaculture farming. Specifically, this study was designed to answer the following research questions: 1) How local communities perceived the impact of water hyacinth on their livelihoods and environment? 2) What are the pros and cons of water hyacinth expansion in Nigeria? 3) Is controlling water hyacinth aggressive expansion in Nigeria needed? 4) Are farmers willing to financially support programs aimed at controlling or excavating water hyacinth?
Using data from 454 households, our analysis revealed that the negative impacts of water hyacinth significantly outweigh its benefits. Additionally, more than 81% of farmers are willing to financially support programs for controlling or excavating the invasive plant.
This research provides insights for policy makers to design effective interventions that align with community interest, thereby promoting the long-term sustainability of Nigeria fish production industry.