The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Ijebu Ode Initiative on Poverty Reduction (IDIPR) have partnered to transform the Eriwe aquaculture cluster in Ijebu Ode, Nigeria, into a thriving N5 billion investment through the Fish for African, Caribbean and Pacific States (Fish4ACP).
The Fish4ACP project is aimed at improving the economic, social, and environmental contribution of fisheries and aquaculture value chains across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Begun in 2020, the project was slated to terminate in 2025 but was extended to 2027 following COVID-19 delays.
Speaking with journalists at the three-day media training workshop, held June 3rd-6th, 2025, tagged Fish4ACP: Unlocking the Potential of Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, held in Ijebu Ode, stakeholders revealed the vast improvements and opportunities for aquaculture development in Ijebu Ode and Nigeria, ultimately
According to Bree Romould, FISH4ACP Specialist, the project aims to enhance the economic, social, and environmental contributions of fisheries and aquaculture value chains across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
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She said that with over 3 billion people relying on fish, Fish4ACP, valued at 48 million euros, is funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
BusinessDay reports that the Eriwe aquaculture cluster, one of the arms of Fish4ACP, has grown significantly, with a current asset value estimated to be around N5 billion and the potential to exceed N6 billion in production value. The cluster produced over 1,700 metric tonnes of fish in the previous year, valued at N4.5 billion, and expects to increase production with access to funding and knowledge.
The project has created jobs and generated income for local communities, contributing to economic growth and food security, even as Fish4ACP promotes environmentally friendly practices, such as using alternative protein sources like black soldier fly, and supports sustainable aquaculture practices.
The project has equally empowered fish farmers through training and access to financial services, enabling them to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the growth of the aquaculture industry.
The Fish4ACP project offers numerous benefits, including maximising economic returns for fisheries and aquaculture value chains, increasing profitability for farmers through improved management practices and access to funding, and creating jobs and contributing to food and nutrition security.
Other benefits include social and environmental benefits, through minimising detrimental effects on natural habitats and marine wildlife, promoting environmentally friendly practices, such as using alternative protein sources like black soldier fly and supporting sustainable aquaculture practices.
The Fish4ACP project supports sustainable aquaculture practices in several ways, including promoting environmentally friendly practices, exploring alternative protein sources, such as black soldier fly, to reduce dependence on traditional feed sources and promote eco-friendly practices, and improving feed management.
The Fish4ACP trains farmers on feed conversion ratio (FCR) and financial management, resulting in increased profitability and reduced waste, water quality management, sustainable business models, capacity building and market access.
Abubakar Usman, National Project Officer of the Fish for ACP project in Nigeria, notes that a major challenge for fish farmers is the high cost of feed. To address this, the project is working on a feed credit scheme and exploring alternative protein sources like black soldier fly, with a potential cost reduction of 20%. The project is also working with the Federal Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture to boost international access and meet EU and US market conditions.
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Usman said the project aims to ensure sustainability by “training trainers and scaling up efforts”. The cluster’s production has fluctuated over the years, but with the support of the Fish for ACP project, it is poised for growth and increased production. The farm’s asset value is estimated to be around N5 billion, with the potential to exceed N6 billion in production value.
Meanwhile, Marcus Adeniyi, CEO, IDIPR, said that with over 600 farmers and 36 cooperative groups, the Eriwe Aquaculture cluster has the potential to produce over 10,000 metric tonnes of fish.
“In the previous year, the cluster produced over 1,700 metric tonnes of fish, valued at N4.5 billion. With access to funding and knowledge, the cluster expects to increase production and improve the livelihoods of its members. The success of this initiative holds great promise for the economy, increasing GDP, creating jobs, and empowering people.
According to Adeniyi, “Fish for ACP is bringing knowledge to us, innovation, how to have data and access to financing.” He added that with the support of the Fish4ACP project, the Eriwe aquaculture cluster is poised for growth and increased production, contributing to Nigeria’s economic development and food security.
“This partnership has enabled the cluster to increase production and improve the livelihoods of its members. With over 600 farmers and 36 cooperative groups, the cluster has the potential to produce over 10,000 metric tonnes of fish.” He said.
“With access to funding and knowledge, the cluster expects to increase production and improve the livelihoods of its members. The success of this initiative holds great promise for the economy, increasing GDP, creating jobs, and empowering people.” He added that “When people are engaged, you may not likely see them doing some rubbish things… they have something to do.”
The FAO has provided significant support to the cluster, including training farmers on financial literacy skills and establishing a water quality laboratory. According to Usman, the project has facilitated access to funding for farmers, with 162 million Naira loaned to 40 farmers at a single-digit interest rate. The project has also trained farmers on feed conversion ratio and financial management, resulting in increased profitability.
As a result of the Fish4ACP project, about 40 farmers have successfully accessed about NGN 165,413,677.70 from reputable institutions. Usman noted that the project attracted about NGN 311,152,915.20 since its inception. The FAO is currently training stakeholders on a digital data management platform for record-keeping, enhancing professionalism and traceability in the aquaculture value chain.
Overall, the Fish4ACP project aims to ensure sustainable and equitable development of fisheries and aquaculture value chains in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
By adopting these sustainable practices, Fish4ACP aims to minimise the environmental impact of aquaculture while improving the livelihoods of fish farmers and contributing to food security. What specific aspect of sustainable aquaculture would you like to know more about?
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Adeniyi further noted that recognising that feed accounts for over 70% of production costs, FAO, in collaboration with the University of Ibadan, is piloting the use of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) as an alternative, eco-friendly protein source. This not only promotes environmentally friendly practices but also contributes to waste-to-wealth solutions within the cluster.
“A water quality laboratory has been established in the cluster. This facility provides timely and accurate analysis, empowering farmers to make informed decisions to maintain optimal production conditions.
He added that ongoing support is needed for structuring aquaculture businesses and strengthening the capacity of senior managers to foster a more robust and scalable enterprise model.
“We are currently training stakeholders on the use, operation, management and backstopping of a database of clusters on a digital data management platform for record-keeping. This innovation will enhance professionalism, enable better monitoring and traceability, and simplify access to services across the aquaculture value chain.”
“FAO has sponsored cluster leaders to attend regional and global workshops, fostering knowledge exchange and strengthening management capacity,” he added.
