FAO Initiates Project to Boost Catfish Production in Nigeria

Ene Okwanihe, Abuja

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation ( FAO) says its FISH4ACP project has commenced in Nigeria to boost catfish production and also benefit from the African catfish value chain, which is worth $ 625 million.

This was disclosed by the FAO during the FISH4ACP Validation Workshop and Value Chain Task Force Meeting in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.

The FISH4ACP is an initiative of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States ( OACPS) contributing to food and nutrition security,  economic prosperity and job creation by ensuring the economic,  social and environmental sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture value chains in Africa,  the Caribbean and the Pacific.

The FAO Country Representative Fred Kafeero who was represented at the event by Dr. Abubakar Suleiman noted that the project in Nigeria would give special attention to developing small-holder fish farmers and creating multiple jobs.

”  The project focuses on catfish and for this, the inception phase of the project commenced with a comprehensive analysis of the catfish value chain”

” This is very important not only in generating evidence but also in designing an upgrading strategy that will align to the strategic objectives of the project” he added.

The project he said would pay special attention to small and medium-sized businesses, due to their potentials to deliver economic and social benefits, particularly those for women and youth.

Also speaking,  the Director of Fishery Department,  Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,  Mr. Ime Umoh said that government had made enormous investment towards growing the Fishery sector in the country.

Umoh also added that machinery has been put in place to support and ensure the FAO’s fishery project succeeds.