The Federal Government says it is willing to engage and partner with stakeholders to develop Fisheries, Aquaculture Sub-Sector.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Nanono, made this known on Thursday in Abuja at the National Dialogue on Transformation and Future of Aquatic Food Systems in Nigeria.
He said that the partnership would be done through the diversification programme of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The minister, who was represented by Dr Ime Umoh, Director, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, in the ministry of Agriculture, said the important role of fish in food and nutrition security cannot be overemphasised.
“Fish therefore remains a valuable nutritional supplement and a virile candidate for addressing food and nutrition security in Nigeria,”he said.
Nanono noted that in spite of the potential impacts of the fisheries and aquaculture resources, the sector is confronted with numerous challenges.
He listed the challenges to include high cost of inputs, use of unimproved breeds in aquaculture, need for improved access to finance and many others affecting the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
“The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is therefore willing to engage and partner with all stakeholders for the development of the sector for economic development, wealth and job creation as well as food and nutrition security.
“Today’s programme is taking into cognizance the current drive towards increasing domestic fish production to reduce importation of frozen fish into the country.
“The development of the nation’s fisheries and aquaculture sector is highly critical to this,”he said.
Earlier, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, noted that the contribution of the sub-sector to the Nigerian economy and the on-going Economic Sustainability Plan of President Buhari is significant in terms of employment, income generation, among others.
Umakhihe, represented by Mr Istifanus Pwaspo, Deputy Director and Head of Aquaculture Division, noted that fish is one of the cheapest and predominant sources of animal protein in Nigeria.
“It is estimated that over 10million Nigerians are actively engaged in primary and secondary fisheries operations.
“The contribution of fisheries to the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is about 4.5 per cent,” he said.
Speaking on the way forward to tackle challenges in the sub-sector, National President of Fish Association of Nigeria , Dr Adegoke Agbabiaka, advised the Federal Government to liaise with the private sector across the states to facilitate and coordinate its programmes for effective results.
Source: NAN
Quality journalism costs money. Today, we’re asking that you support us to do more. Support our work by sending in your donations.
The donation can be made directly into NatureNews Account below
