Daniel Otera
In Nasarawa State, where floods and extreme heat are no longer rare occurrences, fish farming has become a battle for survival. For Mr. Otono Oshioriameh, a seasoned fish farmer, the fight to keep his ponds thriving amid Nigeria’s shifting climate is personal. After losing half his stock to floods in 2018, he raised his pond walls higher and made other drastic changes to keep his farm intact. In this exclusive interview with The Journal, Mr. Otono shares the harsh realities of farming in an era of unpredictable weather, the rising costs that threaten his livelihood, and his unwavering determination to provide jobs and food for his community.
Mr. Oshioriameh, as a seasoned fish farmer in Nasarawa State, how has this year’s rainy season affected your fish farm, especially with the heavier-than-usual downpours we’ve seen across Nigeria?
This year’s rainy season has been a proper double-edged sword for my fish farm here in Nasarawa. On one hand, the downpours have been a blessing because they’ve filled up my ponds to the brim without me spending extra on pumping water from boreholes. You know how water is life in fish farming, so that part is sweet. But, my brother, the problem is that these rains don’t know when to stop! The overflow has been a real headache. My ponds have been getting too full, and if you’re not careful, the water can just carry your fish away or mess up the pond’s balance.
I’ve had to spend extra time and money managing water levels, constantly checking the ponds, opening drainage channels, and sometimes even scooping out water manually to keep things under control. It’s not easy at all, especially when the rain comes like it’s angry. This year’s rain has been heavier than usual, and it’s forced me to stay on my toes to protect my fish and my investment.
Flooding has become a recurring nightmare for farmers in Nigeria, including here in Nasarawa. Can you share any personal experiences of how floods have impacted your fish ponds and what you’ve done to cope?
Floods are a farmer’s nightmare, and I’ve had my fair share of them here in Nasarawa. I remember one year, I think it was around 2018, when the floods came like a thief in the night. The water just swept through my farm and carried away almost half of my fish stock. It was painful, I won’t lie. Months of hard work and money just washed away like that. I felt like giving up, but you know how we Nigerians are, we don’t stay down for long. Since then, I’ve wised up. I’ve raised the walls of my ponds higher, using strong cement blocks and sandbags to make them solid.
I also reinforce the dikes around the ponds to keep the water in check. Another thing I do now is dig proper drainage channels around the farm so that when the rain is too much, the excess water has somewhere to go instead of flooding my ponds. I’ve also started using nets at the outlets to catch any fish that might try to escape during heavy water flow. These steps have helped a lot, but it’s still not easy because floods don’t send you a memo before they come.
Climate change is changing the game for agriculture in Nigeria. As a fish farmer, what specific changes have you noticed in weather patterns over the years, and how are you adapting your farming techniques to stay afloat?
If you’ve been farming as long as I have in Nasarawa, you’ll know that the weather is no longer your friend. Back in the day, you could almost set your clock by the rainy season—it would start around April or May and follow a steady pattern. But now? The rain does whatever it likes! Sometimes it comes late, sometimes it starts and then stops for weeks, and when it finally decides to show up, it pours like it’s trying to drown the whole state.
This year, for example, the storms have been so intense that my ponds almost overflowed twice in one month. And don’t even get me started on the heat! The dry season is hotter than before, and it’s affecting the oxygen in the water, which makes the fish struggle to breathe. To cope, I’ve had to change how I do things. I now keep a close eye on the water temperature, using a thermometer to check it regularly. I’ve also reduced the number of fish I put in each pond, what we call stocking density, so that they don’t compete too much for oxygen when it’s hot. It means fewer fish, but it’s better than losing everything. I’m also trying to plant some trees around the farm to provide shade and cool the water a bit. It’s a lot of work, but you have to adapt to survive in this business.
Many fish farmers in Nigeria rely on natural water sources like rivers and rainfall. With unpredictable rains and shrinking water bodies, how do you ensure a steady water supply for your fish farm, especially during the rainy season?
Water is the lifeblood of fish farming, and relying only on rainfall is like playing Russian roulette with your business. In Nasarawa, the rains can be plenty one day and then disappear for weeks, especially with how the weather has been acting these days. I learned my lesson early on, so I don’t depend on just my earthen ponds catching rainwater. I’ve sunk a borehole on my farm, and it’s been a game-changer. Even when the rains fail, I can pump water to keep my ponds filled. I also have big storage tanks where I store extra water, just in case. During the rainy season, when there’s too much water coming in, I’ve built channels to direct the excess away from the ponds so they don’t overflow and wash my fish away.
These channels have outlets that I can open or close to control the flow. It’s not cheap to set up, but it’s worth every kobo because it keeps my farm running no matter what the weather does.
My advice to any fish farmer is to have at least two sources of water and don’t put all your eggs in one basket, because this climate can betray you without warning.
The cost of running a fish farm feed, equipment, labour has skyrocketed with Nigeria’s inflation. How are you managing these rising costs, and what support do you think fish farmers like yourself need from the government to thrive?
Running a fish farm in Nigeria today is like climbing a mountain with no shoes. Everything is expensive! The cost of fish feed alone can make you want to cry. It’s the biggest expense, and with inflation, the price just keeps going up like fuel.
To manage, I’ve teamed up with other fish farmers in Nasarawa to buy feed in bulk. When we pool our money, we get a bit of a discount, and it helps us save a little. I also try to cut costs by maintaining my equipment properly so I don’t have to replace things too often. Labour is another issue workers need to be paid well to stay, but it’s tough when your profit is shrinking. Honestly, we farmers are hustling hard, but we need help.
The government needs to step in with subsidies for feed and equipment, because those are killing us. They should also make loans easier to get affordable ones, not the kind with interest rates that will choke you. And please, we need training! If they can bring experts to teach us new ways to farm that cost less and produce more, it would go a long way. Right now, it feels like we’re on our own, and it’s not easy to keep going when everything is so expensive.
Mr. Otono, let’s talk about the human side of fish farming. How has your work impacted your family and community in Nasarawa, especially in providing jobs or food security during these tough times?
Fish farming has been a proper lifeline for me and my people here in Nasarawa. For my family, it’s to put food on the table and send my kids to school. The money I make from selling fish covers school fees, medical bills, and even some small enjoyment like taking my wife out once in a while. But it’s not just about my family, my farm is helping the community too.
I’ve got about five young guys working with me, doing things like feeding the fish, cleaning the ponds, and helping with sales. These are boys who might have been idle or doing okada, but now they’re earning a steady income and learning a skill. Beyond that, my farm is helping to put food in people’s bellies. Fish is cheaper than beef or chicken, so families in Nasarawa can buy my catfish to make stew or pepper soup without breaking the bank.
In these tough times, with food prices going up, being able to provide affordable protein feels like a big deal. I’m proud to know my work is making a difference, even if it’s just in my small corner of Nasarawa.
Nasarawa State is known for its agricultural potential, but flooding in places like Doma has displaced farmers and damaged livelihoods. What practical steps can fish farmers take to protect their ponds from such disasters?
Floods can wipe out a fish farm in one night, so you have to be proactive if you want to sleep well during the rainy season. One of the first things I tell any farmer is to build their ponds on higher ground somewhere the water won’t easily rush in when it rains. It’s not always possible, but if you can, choose a spot that’s naturally elevated.
Then, make sure your pond embankments are strong. I use cement blocks and sandbags to reinforce mine, so even if the water comes with force, the walls hold. Drainage is another big one: dig proper channels around your farm to carry excess water away. You don’t want water pooling around your ponds, because it can weaken the walls or overflow into them. I also put nets at the outlets of my drainage channels to catch any fish that might try to swim out during heavy rain.
It’s like putting a goalpost to stop them from escaping! These things cost money and effort, but they’re cheaper than starting over after a flood. My advice is to plan ahead and invest in these protections before the rainy season starts, because once the water comes, it’s too late to start digging.
Fish farming is a big deal in Nigeria. We’re the world’s largest producer of catfish! How do you think climate change might affect Nigeria’s position in global aquaculture, and what can farmers like you do to keep us on top?
Nigeria being the world’s largest producer of catfish is something we’re proud of, but climate change is a real threat to that crown.
The way the weather is misbehaving unpredictable rains, crazy heat, and floods it’s making fish farming harder. If we don’t act fast, other countries could overtake us because their farmers might be better prepared. For example, if floods keep washing away our fish or heat kills them off, our production will drop, and we’ll lose our place in the global market. But it’s not all doom and gloom. We can stay on top if we get smart. Farmers like me need to adopt climate-smart practices, like using water recycling systems to save water or aerators to boost oxygen in ponds during hot weather.
We should also try new technology, like solar-powered pumps, to cut costs and be more sustainable. Another thing is diversifying, don’t just stick to catfish. We can try other species like tilapia that might handle changing conditions better. The government and private sector need to help us with funding and training to make these changes. If we do this, Nigeria can keep leading the world in aquaculture, no matter what climate change throws at us.
With the rainy season bringing both floods and opportunities for fish breeding, are there any new techniques or species you’re exploring to make your farm more resilient to climate challenges?
To be honest, I haven’t fully jumped into new techniques or species yet, but I’m not sitting idle either. I’ve been watching a lot of YouTube videos from other fish farmers, both in Nigeria and abroad, to see what they’re doing to tackle climate challenges.
Some of these videos talk about things like using biofloc systems to recycle water or adding aerators to keep oxygen levels high when it’s hot. I’m also trying to attend seminars whenever I can.
There was one in Lafia last year where they talked about farming tilapia alongside catfish to spread the risk.
I’m thinking of trying tilapia because I hear it can handle warmer water better than catfish. The problem is that these things need money and time to set up, and I’m still figuring out how to make it work with my current setup. For now, I’m focusing on small improvements, like better water management and stronger ponds, but I’m keeping my eyes open for new ideas. You have to keep learning in this business, because the climate is changing faster than we can keep up.
Finally, if you could speak directly to the government or young people in Nasarawa looking to start fish farming, what’s the one piece of advice you’d give to ensure the future of this industry in the face of climate change?
If I could sit down with young people in Nasarawa who want to start fish farming, I’d tell them: don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you start.
You don’t need a big farm or plenty of money to begin, just start small with one or two ponds and use what you have. But while you’re starting small, think big. Plan properly, learn about the business, and be ready to adapt when things like floods or heat come. This climate is not our friend anymore, so you have to be smart, build strong ponds, save water, and keep learning new ways to farm. For the government, I’d beg them to take fish farming seriously. It’s not just a business; it’s how we feed our people and create jobs.
They should invest in training programs to teach farmers modern techniques, build infrastructure like better roads to transport fish, and give us strategies to fight climate change, like subsidies for flood-resistant equipment or solar pumps.
If they support us, fish farming can be a game-changer for Nasarawa and Nigeria. But without that support, it’s like sending us to farm with one hand tied behind our backs.