Agriculture
THE National Fish Association of Nigeria (NFAN) says it is targeting local consumption of 3.2 million metric tonnes of fish in the country.
NFAN, therefore appealed to governments to support stakeholders toward boosting fish production.
Mr Chidike Ukoh, the National Publicity Secretary of NFAN made the projection in a statement in Abuja on the occasion of the World Fish Day with theme: `Putting Fish on the Table’ on Thursday.
He said that stakeholders in the fish industry would only meet the market demand government’s support.
He said that the association had also intensified efforts at mobilising, sensitising and training existing and upcoming farmers to meet the target.
According to him, currently Nigeria imports 1.2 million tonnes of fish costing about 700 million dollars per annum.
“There has been steady increase in local fish production from 450,000 tonnes to 1.1 million tonnes in the last two years.
“Hence, the need to empower and encourage stakeholders at every level for increased production to meet the 3.2 million tonnes annual fish consumption.
“In line with our mandate, much work is expected in collaboration with relevant government agencies for effective policy implementation.
“On this World Fish Day, NFAN is both happy and challenged by the inability of Nigeria to meet its nutritional needs, especially in the vital fish protein component of balanced diet,’’ Ukoh said.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NFAN is an umbrella body for the comprehensive fish value chain in the country
–NAN
BE
– Nov. 22, 2018 @ 14:49 GMT |
Tags: Fish farmers target 3.2 million metric tonnes of local consumption
