No fewer than 2,000 individuals and fishery cooperative groups from the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have benefitted from the minister of state for FCT, Dr Rama Tijjani Aliyu’s distribution of assorted fishery inputs to fish farmers.
The inputs distributed included fish tanks, feeds, smoking kilns, fishing nets, hooks and liners, cold storage facilities, fish drugs, and fingerlings.
Aliyu said the distribution of the assorted inputs was to realise the objective of boosting fish production as a means of achieving sustainable food and nutrition security.
She acknowledged that the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector was one of the fastest growing agricultural ventures in Nigeria contributing significantly to Nigeria in terms of employment generation, poverty alleviation, foreign exchange earnings, and as a source of raw materials for the animal feed industry.
“With records showing an increasing global demand for fish which is largely due to its nutritional and health benefits, we see the fish sector as having the capacity to accommodate and empower the teeming population of young educated youths who are trooping into the FCT for white collar jobs which are not readily available,” she said.
She, therefore, noted that despite being faced with the challenges of a rapidly growing population, the FCT administration has nonetheless been working hard to provide the enabling environment for all to operate and earn a meaningful source of livelihood.
“It is against this backdrop that the FCT Administration sustained its support programmes which have resulted in the development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
“It is heartwarming to note that the Aquaculture and Trades Centre, Kuka which was constructed and commissioned in 2022 is delivering on the set objectives.
“So far, the centre has trained and empowered over 1000 youth and women whose products are sold at different markets within and outside the FCT,” she said.
Aliyu revealed that the administration has embarked on the sensitization and training of fish farmers in the six area councils to promote the production of other fish varieties other than the popular catfish as a strategy to further harness the opportunities in the sector.
We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →
Join Our WhatsApp Channel
