jeff juwana
Moderator
In a bid to ensure an increase in fish production through the Aquaculture Value Chain, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, during the Special Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme for Fisheries and Aquaculture value chain in Ado Ekiti, said that the Federal Government may soon place a total ban on the importation of fish and other aquatic consumables.
The minister, represented at the occasion by the Federal Director of Fisheries, Mrs. Foluke Areola, stressed that Nigeria had no business importing fish given its huge natural and renewable resources.
“The Value Chains are to create an enabling environment for increased and sustainable production of over one million tonnes of fish within the next four years, generate employment and pursue gradual reduction of fish imports,” he noted.
Adesina said the Aquaculture Value Chain, under the four- year implementation plan, would increase the annual production of fingerlings in the country by 1.25 billion tonnes.
He said it would also produce 400,000 tonnes of fish feed, generate additional 250,000 tonnes of table fish and 100,000 tonnes of Value Added fish products.
“Fish farming is a business venture with lots of potential investment opportunities and a veritable tool for increased fish production, poverty alleviation and sustainable livelihoods.”
The minister noted that the Aquaculture Value Chain had already been included in the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme for 2013.
Under the scheme, inputs such as fish and other sea foods would be distributed to many Nigerian fish farmers, he said.
The minister commended President Goodluck Jonathan’s initiative in transforming agriculture into a serious business venture as well as in ensuring adequate food security for Nigerians.
He announced that in an effort by government to protect local fish farmers operating in the country, measures had been put in place to curb illegal importation of fish.
Adesina said that the ministry was collaborating with officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service in this regard, adding that the Federal Department of Fisheries had also been directed to ensure that the stoppage of importation of the banned fish inputs.
In his speech, Gov. Kayode Fayemi, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi, thanked the Federal Government for its benevolence.
He said the state government would support its policies and programmes on agriculture.
The minister, represented at the occasion by the Federal Director of Fisheries, Mrs. Foluke Areola, stressed that Nigeria had no business importing fish given its huge natural and renewable resources.
“The Value Chains are to create an enabling environment for increased and sustainable production of over one million tonnes of fish within the next four years, generate employment and pursue gradual reduction of fish imports,” he noted.
Adesina said the Aquaculture Value Chain, under the four- year implementation plan, would increase the annual production of fingerlings in the country by 1.25 billion tonnes.
He said it would also produce 400,000 tonnes of fish feed, generate additional 250,000 tonnes of table fish and 100,000 tonnes of Value Added fish products.
“Fish farming is a business venture with lots of potential investment opportunities and a veritable tool for increased fish production, poverty alleviation and sustainable livelihoods.”
The minister noted that the Aquaculture Value Chain had already been included in the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme for 2013.
Under the scheme, inputs such as fish and other sea foods would be distributed to many Nigerian fish farmers, he said.
The minister commended President Goodluck Jonathan’s initiative in transforming agriculture into a serious business venture as well as in ensuring adequate food security for Nigerians.
He announced that in an effort by government to protect local fish farmers operating in the country, measures had been put in place to curb illegal importation of fish.
Adesina said that the ministry was collaborating with officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service in this regard, adding that the Federal Department of Fisheries had also been directed to ensure that the stoppage of importation of the banned fish inputs.
In his speech, Gov. Kayode Fayemi, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi, thanked the Federal Government for its benevolence.
He said the state government would support its policies and programmes on agriculture.