Fish farmers in Niger State have been called upon to embrace modern innovations in fish production and processing for increased productivity in fish value chain.
Commissioner of Livestock and Fisheries, Hon. Haruna Nuhu Dukku made the call during the official commissioning ceremony of Fish Processing Centre in Tatabu Community of Mokwa Local Government Area of the state at the weekend.
Hon. Haruna Nuhu Dukku who unveiled the Centre, described fish farming as a lucrative business that has provided a huge source of livelihood to the people of the state.
He emphasised that the state government under the supervision of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries is poised to exploring more areas of partnership with the Federal Government and other development partners to boost fish production in state.
According to him, “Agriculture remains the only reliable and guaranteed means of sustaining of our economy as against the oil sector which is dwindling.
“The administration of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has prioritise agriculture, particularly Livestock and Fisheries Production. Fisheries are an integral part of agricultural sector in Niger State which forms part of Nigeria’s steady annual contribution of 3.5 to 4 percent to total GDP over the last decade. We must empower our people with modern means of production.”
Earlier, the Executive Director of Nigeria Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI); a Parastatal in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Patricia Pessu said the institute selected Tatabu Community for the project in recognition of its status as a major fish processing community in the region.
She expressed optimism that the smoking fish facility would boost the entrepreneurship and the financial security and well-being of the entire Fisheries value chain in Tatabu and beyond.
