Odogbolu: The Federal Government, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), has introduced a N200 million initiative aimed at enhancing aquaculture in Nigeria. The project seeks to address the country’s annual fish demand and improve local fish production capacity.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Wellington Omoragbon, Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture at the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, highlighted the significance of the Scaling Fish Farming through Finance initiative at its inauguration at Eriwe Fish Farming Cluster in Ogun State. Represented by Mr. Paul Opuama, Omoragbon emphasized the project’s goal to promote the sustainability of Nigeria’s fisheries resources while acknowledging the support from FAO and other development partners.
Omoragbon identified access to finance, particularly the rising cost of feeds, as a major challenge for fish farmers in the country. He expressed optimism that the partnership with FAO would support farmers and help bridge the fish production deficit.
Mr. Koffy Kouacou, FAO’s representative in Nigeria and West Africa, underscored the need to eliminate the annual importation of two million metric tonnes of fish. He explained that the European Union-funded project, in collaboration with development partners, focuses on making funding more accessible to boost fish production. Under the pilot scheme, 40 fish farmers will receive between N2.5 million and N5 million each, amounting to approximately N200 million, to scale up their operations.
Kouacou emphasized that the initiative aims to strengthen local fish production, create business opportunities in aquaculture, and reduce dependency on fish imports. He noted the collaboration with the Ogun and Federal Governments and financial institutions to launch the project, enabling farmers to access the necessary finance.
Mr. Hugh Briggs, Programme Manager for Agriculture at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, noted that the FISH4ACP project is being implemented in 12 countries worldwide, with Nigeria receiving a significant portion of the grant.
Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo, commended FAO and development partners for the initiative and urged for similar support to be extended to other fish clusters in the state.