The Lagos State Fish Farmer’s Association, Alimosho(CAMS) has urged the Federal Government to provide urgent assistance to struggling fish farmers in the state.
The immediate past president of CAMS, Mr Smart Okeke, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
Okeke said the government’s support for the fish farming industry could be a game-changer for the sector.
He said fish farmers could increase production, create jobs and contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth if the right policies and incentives were put in place by the government.
“It beats me to see that despite the capacity fish farming has, the industry is grappling with numerous challenges, which include funding, poor infrastructure and limited access to markets.
“A survey carried out by the World Bank in 2004 showed fish farming has the best capacity to feed the whole of Nigeria.
“This can be easily attributed to the fact that Nigeria has the perfect weather for fish farming which can be done anywhere.
“In fish farming, 70 per cent of your cost production is feed; a bag of feed in 2012 was N3,500, but as we speak, it is N42,000.
“To produce one tonne of fish, you require a minimum of N4 million; how many farmers can comfortably afford to pay that much?”
He explained that funding could help fish farmers expand their operations, increase production and meet the growing demand for fish.
According to him, it can also be used to develop and improve infrastructure such as fish ponds, hatcheries and processing facilities.
“Food security is also key to funding as it increases the availability of fish and helps fish farmers to access new markets, both domestically and internationally.
“These farmers are not able to export or compete internationally because of the difficulties in acquiring the facilities needed to meet international standards.
“Government can intervene by setting up a facility that will help farmers in processing their fishes, package them for export and help with the provision of certification to meet all international requirements.
“Attaining international standards in fish farming requires a multi-faceted approach that involves improving farming practices, enhancing quality control and complying with global regulations,’’ Okeke said.
