The Lagos State Government in collaboration with the British American Tobacco Nigerian Foundation (BATNF) has trained 800 farmers on catfish processing and hatchery to meet the huge demand of residents.
Ms Ruth Olusanya, Commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos State, in her remarks at the closing ceremony of the capacity building on Friday at Oko-Oba, Lagos, thanked BATNF for its support for the agricultural sector in the state.
“I will like to extend my greatest appreciation to BATNF for its continuous support over the years to the agricultural sector in the state even at a challenging period of COVID-19” she said.
Olusanya, who was represented by Mr Oluyemisi Roshiji, Director of Administration and Human Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, said that the training which was in batches, began in 2018 with the establishment of capacity facilities.
She said such facilities included fish hatchery and fish processing.
According to her, a group of trained farmers will be equipped with a 250kg capacity smoking kiln.
The commissioner said that three farmers’ cooperative societies were empowered to address the challenge of huge losses due to the volatile market price and thus increase their income.
She noted that the training would fast-track the development of the agricultural sector in the state.
“The capacity building will no doubt help in boosting fish production and sustain the existing efforts of the state government in the area of food security.
“Agbelere Fish Farmers Cooperative Society; the Great Achievers Fish Farmers Society in Ikorodu and Abundant Fish Farmers Cooperative Society, Ayobo, Ipaja, were empowered to address the challenge of huge losses due to the volatile market price and thus increase their income,” she said.
Mr Hakeem Adeniji, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Lagos State, in his remarks said that the task of feeding the Lagos residents was enormous as the population of the state continue to increase.
“It is no longer news that the population of the state continues to increase on daily basis and the task of producing enough food to meet the demand of the growing population through various agricultural researches and technologies are enormous.
“Protein is the most expensive component of food required in large quantity by man and livestock as the relevance of animal protein compared to plant cannot be over-emphasised,” he said.
According to him, fish protein has been acclaimed to be healthier for consumption than meat especially as one advance in age leading to higher demand for fish production.
Adeniji, represented by Mr Emmanuel Audu, Director of Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture, said that flexibility of fish farming had encouraged the involvement of both older and younger people in fish farming as a means of livelihood.
According to him, catfish farming has dominated the aquaculture industry in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole for more than two decades because of hardiness, fast growth, acceptance of artificial feed and good market price.
“Acceptability of the smoked form of catfish has further enhanced its popularity among the consumer.
“As Lagos State becomes a 21st-century economy, there is need to sustain existing efforts of the agricultural sector in ensuring food security and also introduce new solutions.
“At the same time, I will like to congratulate all the beneficiaries of today’s programme and urge them to make good use of this opportunity to better their standard of living and train other fish farmers in their community.
Mr Dare Odusanya, Project Manager, BATNF, said; “The Phrase ‘No Farmer, No Nation’ as has been echoed here today reflects the important role played by farmers in ensuring that food is always on the table.
“Needless to say, that without well-nourished meals none of us would be here, but beyond providing us nutritious food items, farmers are the pillars of the agricultural sector, a sector often described as the future of Nigeria.”
Odusanya said that fish farming was considered an important agricultural activity that could end nutritional deficiencies of the world and contribute to poverty reduction.
“No wonder, according to the GDP data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for Q1 2021, the fisheries sector had a 3.24 per cent contribution to the country’s GDP.
“In addition, the sub-sector generates employment and income for a significant number of artisans, fishermen and small traders,” he added.
According to him, despite the high potential of aquaculture, marine and freshwater fisheries, we are unable to meet the domestic demand for fish.
He said that it was imperative to seek new and innovative ways to bridge the gaps.
“This presents a case for a business opportunity for smallholder farmers to raise their incomes by adopting innovative and sustainable practices to boost production, create employment and maintain their livelihood.
“Over time, in our support to farmers, we observed that in addition to teaching them good agricultural practices for improved fish production, it is also important to provide access to markets.
“We empower them to add value to their commodity, so they are immune to price instability,” Odusanya added.
The project manager said that the training which was in batches, started in 2018 in partnership with the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority.
He said that the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation had successfully achieved a 360-degree project intervention in aquaculture.
“I congratulate the Like Mind Fish Farmers Cooperative Society, who after a thorough selection process, emerged as the beneficiaries of the smoking kiln.
“I ask that you use the opportunity to transform your businesses and to be more dedicated, committed, and diligent to improve your lives.
“With this support and trainings on best practices in fish hatchery, processing, and packaging, it is our desire that your business and income will grow tremendously and ultimately you will begin to export to countries within and beyond the West Africa region,” he added.
Dr Olalekan Pereira-Sheteolu, the Programme Manager, Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA), in his remarks thanked BATNF for its support in training farmers in the state.
He congratulated the beneficiaries and implored them to make good use of the opportunity to boost fish production and processing.
Mr Dele Adelowo, one of the beneficiaries, thanked LSADA for the capacity building to boost their fish businesses.
“It is a great opportunity to partake in this kind of capacity building in fish hatchery and processing.
“No doubt the training will go a long way at improving the standard of living of the beneficiaries,” he said.