Andrew Tarker, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), disclosedthat plans are underway to reposition the fish farming industry in the capital territory through deliberate efforts that would transform Abuja to a leading fish farming hub in the country.
To achieve this, the administration, through the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat on Tuesday announced a re-invigorated efforts to partner with relevant stakeholders to not only boost fish farming in the territory, but to also make it a major source of foreign earnings.
The Mandate Secretary, FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Abubakar Ibrahim stated this on Tuesday at the commemoration of “International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture.
He noted that the Secretariat, has in addition to donation of fishing inputs and equipments to farmers, constructed training center for women in Fisheries in FCT.
Represented by the Director of Administration and Finance of the Secretariat, Ishiaq Sadeeq, Ibrahim noted that promotion of fish farming in FCT will in no small measure, reduce unemployment and improve food security in the country.
According him: “The event we are therefore witnessing today is consistent with that worthy declaration as well as the theme of the event which is Building a Global Safety Net for Small-scale Artisanal Fisheries & Aquaculture.”
“It is therefore not a surprise that the sector is growing at an alarming rate as more and more Nigerians engage in fish production not just for the nutritional value, but economic benefits associated with it.
“It is estimated that a very large percentage of Nigerians, mostly youths venture into fisheries production annually. While this scenario would have been seen as a positive development, the sad narrative is the fact that more than 90 per cent of these farmers still operate at subsistent and small-scale levels.”
Earlier in her welcome Address, the Director of Fisheries of the Secretariat, Ifeoma Okeke described lack of training among others as the major challenges facing the growth on Fisheries in the Federal Capital Territory.
Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat in commemorating the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture with it’s Theme: “Building a global safety net for small scale artisanal fisheries and aquaculture”, presented empowerment input to fisher folks and award of excellence in fisheries to fish farmers.
Food and Agricultural Organization of United Nations in March 2022, declared the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture IYAFA 2022 to showcase the potential and diversity of small-scale artisanal fisheries and aquaculture.