Minister distributes inputs to 2,000 fish farmers

By Stanley Onyekwere 

The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Rama Tijjani Aliyu, has distributed assorted fishery inputs to about 2,000 individuals and fishery cooperative groups from the six area councils of the Territory.

The inputs distributed include 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 realize the objective of boosting fish production as a mean 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 feeds industry.

Aliyu, 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 meaningful source of livelihood.

According to her; “It is against this backdrop that the FCT Administration sustained its support programmes which has resulted to 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 center has trained and empowered over 1000 youth and women whose products are sold at different markets within and outside the FCT”.

She revealed that the Administration has embarked on the sensitisation and training of fish farmers in the six area councils to promote production of other fish varieties other than the popular catfish as a strategy to further harness the opportunities in the sector. 

Earlier in his remarks, the Mandate Secretary Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS), Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim, noted that the nation’s capital is endowed with huge natural fisheries resources, as evidenced in its intricate network of rivers, streams, natural and man-made dams. 

Ibrahim, while assuring of the secretariat’s commitment to introduce new innovations in the fishery and aquaculture sector, said it has widened its scope of support from not only the provision of inputs, but also to building the capacities of fish farmers so that they can easily transit from household production to commercial production.