64th ISI World Statistics Congress - Ottawa, Canada

64th ISI World Statistics Congress - Ottawa, Canada

ADOPTION OF ENVIROMENTAL FRIENDLY FISH PROCESSING INITIATIVE IN NIGERIA: THE ROLE OF STATISTICAL COLLABORATION IN SDGS

Conference

64th ISI World Statistics Congress - Ottawa, Canada

Format: IPS Abstract

Abstract

A unique global solution likely to transform the 21st century as we know it is achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of ending hunger and enabling food security (SDG2) by the 2030 target date. A huge impact solution as this requires multilateral efforts: international development agencies, governments, institutions and the civil society collaborating - each doing their part - in such an inclusive, sustainable and resilient manner - that ultimately results into amplified benefits for people, biodiversity and climate.
Statistics and Data Science has a lot to do with robust assessment of the progress of countries towards achieving SDG2, and with providing information on gaps that needs to be addressed. Nigeria is at risk of not achieving SDG1 (end poverty), SDG2 (end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition), andSDG3 (ensure healthy lives and well-being) by 2030 target date. This is because of observed unsustainable current statuses, tallied with slow progress towards meeting these critical goals.
Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis (LISA) is supporting the implementation of Adoption of Environmentally Friendly Fish Processing (AEFFP) initiatives in Nigeria. The AEFFP project is integrated in design, and aims to concomitantly improve food security, enhance women empowerment (jobs/income), improve green energy access, advance climate resilience, and support statistics related institutional capacity development in targeted rural communities. To provide benchmark data for effective implementation of AEFFP intervention, detailed baseline study of beneficiary communities was carried out in order to fully describe existing demographic, environmental, biophysical and socio-economic statuses in the communities, as well as provide necessary benchmark data for AEFFP project monitoring and evaluation. The baseline survey covered Ogurugu, Otuocha and Otu-Nsugbe communities along Anambra River of Anambra State, Nigeria benefiting from AEFFP in this first round. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methodology was used for the baseline survey. The results from the survey show endemic poverty with greater burden on women headed households. The use of primordial, noxious smoke emitting fish processing methods was found to be widespread. Community enthusiasm for use of modern fish processing method using solar tents dryers was heightened by their successful selection as AEFFP beneficiary.154 female fish processors (of which, 26 or 16.9% widows) qualified as participants in the AEFFP. The major livelihoods problems indicated by majority (96.4%) of participants include: low fish yields, exposure to irritating smoke inhalation, and inadequate income/profits from fish processing trade. None of the participants make use of modern solar tent for fish processing, which supports the finding of low (13.6%) awareness of modern methods. The evidence of endemic poverty is highlighted by findings that, on average, participant’s household live below the poverty line of US$2 per capita per day. The average household monthly income was found to be N 37,000 (US$88.0), compared to N151,200 (US$360.0) necessary for household size of 6.0 to live on or aboveUS$2 per day. The baseline study finds that no previous University Statistics Department versus rural Community partnership has taken place in targeted communities.