The Contribution of Aquaculture to Poverty Alleviation and Food Security Among the Rural Poor in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja

This study examined the impact of aquaculture on poverty alleviation and increased food security among the rural poor in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria. The rapid rise of hunger and malnutrition around the world mostly affecting the very poor and the needy informed the decision to embark on this research. The world population is purported to reach 10.7 billion by 2050, with most of the growth occurring in developing nations and especially sub-Saharan Africa which is prone to hunger and deprivation. Despite all these developments, studies show that many traditional agricultural systems expected to meet the escalating global demand for food are failing. Over the years, agriculture has been intensified whilst attempting to provide humanity with food and is considered as a growth engine especially for developing countries. However, its non-traditional activities have contributed towards the largest environmental degradation pollution, deforestation, impacting development around the world. Challenges associated with meeting food demand calls for a carefully planned strategy to fashion out how the world’s growing population will be fed with nutritionally balanced diet that will improve their general wellbeing, especially in regions with the highest number of malnourished populations that lack sufficient income to obtain food. Aquaculture has been widely acclaimed as a means of farming through which poor communities in a developing country context could find the much-needed relief in providing for food production and economic emancipation. The aquaculture industry in Nigeria has experienced a rapid development in the last two decades, however, the sector faces many challenges such as lack of political will, availability of high-quality feed, high cost of materials, funding and weak institutions etc. This study adopted the quantitative research method where 98 large, medium, and small-scale fish farmers were engaged in responding to questionnaires designed to address the set research aims and objectives and research questions designed for the study. Seven institutional heads in the study area were also interviewed using structured and semi structured interviews. Using SPSS and Nvivo, the data collected from the above-mentioned participants were analysed and that helped in providing responses to the set research aims and questions for the study. From the analysis made, it became evidently clear that aquaculture in the FCT has the potential to grow in contributing effectively towards food security and poverty alleviation in the study area. Whilst it is beset with many challenges, the study found out that with right government policies, availability of essential inputs, availability of capital and the right government support, the sector will be able to reduce the high unemployment rate in the FCT and also help with food insecurity and poverty reduction. The research has made a unique contribution towards academic discourse on the impact of aquaculture on food security and poverty alleviation in Sub-Saharan Africa and especially in the FCT, which has a limited amount of literature on the topic. Furthermore, it will provide the necessary resource for developing countries narratives, especially countries in West Africa.