Aquaculture: Evidence from China and Nigeria

Abstract

The results of this paper indicates that the state of Nigeria’s aquaculture industry has been driven by Dependency Theory. But the state of the Chinese aquaculture industry has been driven by Modernisation Theory. Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa. Since independence Nigerian’s only saw 10 years of elected government until the end of military rule in 1999. The military were not concerned with the needs and welfare of the country’s citizens but with the needs of the US and European multinational oil companies. China started a series of ongoing economic reforms in 1978. These reforms incentivized farmers to farm fish. The reforms facilitated the development of institutions such as a legal and regulatory framework as well as centers of technological innovation. For the needs of food security it is imperative that Nigeria transforms its aquaculture industry based on the China model.

Keywords: Food Security, Aquaculture, Governance, Economic Development