Evaluation of Training Effectiveness and Technology Adoption among Beneficiaries of the Federal Government Aquaculture Empowerment Programme in Kebbi State

Government-funded aquaculture empowerment programmes have targeted thousands of beneficiaries across North West Nigeria, yet the effectiveness of training components and the extent of technology adoption among graduates have rarely been formally evaluated. This study evaluates the training effectiveness and subsequent technology adoption rates among 200 beneficiaries of the Federal Government's Aquaculture Empowerment Programme in Kebbi State, trained between 2021 and 2023. Data were collected through structured follow-up surveys administered to beneficiaries at an average of 18 months post-training, supplemented by focus group discussions and interviews with programme administrators. Technology adoption was assessed against a checklist of eight recommended practices covering water quality monitoring, stocking density management, feed management, record keeping, disease recognition, biosecurity, harvesting, and marketing. Results showed that only 28% of beneficiaries had established active fish farming operations at the time of follow-up. Among those farming, adoption of recommended practices averaged 4.1 out of 8 items. Record keeping (17% adoption) and water quality monitoring (23% adoption) were the least adopted practices. Barriers to technology adoption included lack of capital to establish fish ponds (cited by 69%), inadequate post-training support (54%), and insufficient access to fingerlings (47%). The study documents a significant gap between training investment and on-farm technology adoption outcomes in Kebbi State and recommends post-training support packages including input vouchers and quarterly extension follow-up as mandatory programme components.

Keywords: aquaculture training, technology adoption, empowerment programme, Kebbi State, extension