As part of its continued efforts to promote inclusive and sustainable aquaculture development across Africa, the AIT-African Aquaculture Project has launched a gender-focused informant survey to assess the roles, challenges, and opportunities for men and women across the tilapia and catfish value chains in Nigeria.

This mini survey utilizes key informant interviews to gather detailed qualitative insights from individuals with in-depth knowledge of aquaculture production, marketing, and policy—ranging from hatchery operators and grow-out farmers to market actors and extension agents. The survey focuses on identifying the distinct experiences of men and women within the aquaculture ecosystem and how these affect their participation and performance in the sector, particularly in relation to the fish traits considered in the research component of this project.

Key areas of investigation include:

• Gender-specific roles in tilapia and catfish hatchery, grow-out production, post-harvest processing, and marketing.
• Access to and ownership of resources such as land, credit, aquaculture technology, and training opportunities.
• Socioeconomic status and earning power of men and women in aquaculture-related employment.
• Market access, barriers to participation, and decision-making influence within households and communities.
• Gender-based preferences for fish traits—such as size, taste, colour, and processing qualities—for both production and consumption.
• Perceived barriers to gender inclusion and proposed interventions to ensure more equitable participation in the aquaculture value chain.

The survey places particular emphasis on understanding how gender affects technology access, market integration, and livelihood outcomes. Informants are also asked to reflect on the relevance and impact of microcredit schemes, gender-sensitive training, and the potential of women-friendly technologies such as backyard ponds and improved processing equipment. This initiative is a critical step in shaping interventions that address gender disparities and support women’s empowerment in aquaculture.

Stay tuned to www.asianaquaculture.org for updates on gender research as part of this project.