UTILIZATION AND CONSTRAINTS OF INDIGENOUS AQUACULTURE TECHNIQUES AMONG FISH FARMERS IN SELECTED AREAS OF IBADAN CITY, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Traditional aquaculture techniques referred to as Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) remain central to small‑scale fish farming in southwestern Nigeria, yet systematic evidence on how farmers perceive and utilize these techniques is sparse. Using a cross‑sectional survey of 122 catfish and tilapia farmers drawn from four purposively selected local‑government areas (LGAs) of Ibadan City, this study examined, awareness and cultural perception of Traditional Aquaculture Techniques, degree of knowledge and day‑to‑day utilization of specific techniques. Descriptive statistics, knowledge–adoption indices, were employed. Over two‑thirds of respondents (65.6 %) were aware of Traditional Aquaculture Techniques and 60.7 % reported actively using at least one traditional practice. Fifteen discrete techniques were documented and grouped as pond maintenance (20 %), water‑quality management (20 %), fish‑health management (20 %), feed management (6.7 %), and post‑harvest handling (33.3 %).). The findings affirm that Traditional Aquaculture Techniques retains both cultural relevance and practical efficacy in urban aquaculture, but targeted training and participatory validation are required to unlock its full potential alongside modern innovations.