FG confirms supply of 1.1 million mt of fish



FG confirms supply of 1.1 million mt of fish
…as investor to supply out growers 12 million fingerlings

ABUJA- THE Federal Government has confirmed supply of 1.1 million metric tonnes of fish to cover the deficit of 2.1 million metric tonnes gap, which has up scaled production also.
This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Sen Heineken Lokpobiri, during launch of the first Premium Aquaculture harvesting of Tilapia fish in Nigeria at the Oyan Dam on the Ogun- Osun River Basin site in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Lokpobiri said the increase in fish production in the country was as a result of the government’s policy of backward integration of breeding fish locally and reduction in fish importation.
He stated: “The Federal Government has remained committed to the agricultural sector, particularly the aquaculture industry, which is a major component of the sector, therefore has formulated policies to upscale fish production for self sufficiency and food security.
“We are working hard to close the deficit of demand on fish in Nigeria and also to meet the fish demand in West Africa who depend on us as a country including grain supply to them.
“We have confirmed the increase in production from the 800 metric tonnes in 2015 to the current supply of 1.1 million metric tonnes, which has up scaled production to meet the deficit of 2.1 million metric tonnes gap.
“This increase was archived through the policy of backward integration of breeding fish locally thereby reducing importation to cut the pressure on the Forex.”
Meanwhile, the Minister has encouraged investors to invest in fish production and assured them of government’s support in areas of expansion and others as it did to Premium Aquaculture Limited.
In his remarks the managing Director of Premium Aquaculture Limited, Mr, Prakash Aildasani, revealed that his company will supply 10-12 million fingerlings to out growers, who will be trained to scale up capacity development and productivity in the fish industry.
Prakash also acknowledged the peaceful business environment to produce fish and other operations in Ogun State for investment since 2014, and promised to maintain peaceful and fruitful relationship with the host community and government.
Earlier the Minister paid courtesy visit to former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, at his Hilltop residence in Abeokuta, where the Obasanjo fish production in the country will facilitate activities of out growers, also be a source of wealth creation and employment generation for the youth both in Ogun State and the nation.
The former president who was a special guest at the occasion expressed optimism that what Premium Aquaculture was doing will actualise his dream of zero hunger targets by the year 2025 in Nigeria and Africa.


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