The Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, in collaboration with Anambra State Government has organised sensitisation forum for processed fish practitioners, farmers, marketers and exporters in the state.

Afolabi Bello, the chief trade promotions officer, NEPC Abuja, taught his audience the development plans for export of fishery products from Anambra.

The theme of the programme is: “Compliance to Importing Countries Requirements for Export of Fishery Products: Developing, Establishing and Sustaining Total Structure and Framework”.

Bello stressed:  “the training was important because the volume of fish found for processing in Nigeria is huge.

“The nation needs value chain farmers and processors to export non-oil products.

“NEPC, therefore, is collaborating with Anambra State to train fish farmers on adopting international best practices in fishery industry to scale up to international standards and requirements.

“This includes proper fish feeding, drying, and smocking to aid fish production and exportation,” Bello added.

He, however, expressed displeasure at the poor rate of fish exportation in the country and appealed for government intervention. Bello stressed the need for necessary equipment to support aquaculture practitioners across the state.

Earlier, Afam Mbanefo, the commissioner for Agriculture, Mechanisation and Natural Resources, reaffirmed Anambra government’s interest in aquaculture development.

He noted that fish production had a lot in the completion of the value chain production of government; and has bigger market capacity in Africa with transaction volume of about 2.8 millions.

Mbanefo called for participation of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, as Anambra had great potential in fish consumption and exportation.

Emeka Iloghalu, senior special assistant to the governor on Fisheries and Aquaculture Business Development, used the opportunity to narrate the achievements of fisheries sector in the state. Illoghalu, emphasised that no fewer than 1,276 registered fish farmers in Anambra needed funding from relevant agencies to enhance the state’s economy through fish processing.

The workshop had its practical processing sessions at House Tully Farm and Factory Facility, in Awka.

Government functionaries, Abiodun Cheke, fisheries consultant and value chain farmers in the state attended the programme.

– Sept. 24, 2018 @ 16:39 GMT |