FCTA trains over 200 farmer associations in fish feed production
The Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has trained more than 200 fish farming associations to produce fish feed from local ingredients.< /p>
During the opening ceremony on Wednesday at Gbaupe village near Aco housing estate in Abuja, FCT – ARDS Mandate Secretary, Abubakar Ibrahim said the initiative was to diversify agriculture in the territory.
Ibrahim said that the beneficiaries were selected on the basis of the associations of fish farmers registered throughout the territory.
He said the training would raise awareness of the technical aspects involved in domestic and commercial fish production in varieties such as catfish; Tilapia niloticus and Heterotis niloticus.
The Secretary of Mandate who was represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Yahaya Husseini, explained that FCT Minister Dr. Ramatu Aliyu had approved the replication of the program in the 6 councils to ensure that 100,000 FCT fish farmers are adequately educated.
He said the training, which is free, included various fishing inputs including fish fry and fish feed for the 200 participants to enable them to grow their business.
According to the secretary, records indicate that Nigeria ranks as one of the top fish producing countries in sub-Saharan Africa with an annual production of 1.1 million tons and a local demand of about 3, 6 million a year, which the FCT has its fair share in the numbers.
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In her remarks, the Director of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ms. Ifeoma Okeke, said that the beneficiaries were well sensitized about the scheme.
"We have sensitized our farmers on the diversification of Aquaculture through the promotion of the culture of Oreochromis, they will be further trained today on management practices.
"Let the fish farmers take today's training seriously and put the new knowledge that will be learned today to good use. And to the beneficiaries, consider yourself lucky and return the favor for this good gesture of the FCT administration by supporting tilapia culture at FCT.”
She said department staff will visit the farms from time to time to offer additional technical assistance when needed.
“I am pleased to inform the Secretary of Mandate that the fish traders of FCT have decided to come together under one roof: fish farmers, sellers and processors unified,” she said.< /p>
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, FCT Unified Farmers, Sellers Association Chairman Abdulhafiz Afegbua said the training and empowerment will add value to fish farming in the territory.
The Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has trained more than 200 fish farming associations to produce fish feed from local ingredients.< /p>
During the opening ceremony on Wednesday at Gbaupe village near Aco housing estate in Abuja, FCT – ARDS Mandate Secretary, Abubakar Ibrahim said the initiative was to diversify agriculture in the territory.
Ibrahim said that the beneficiaries were selected on the basis of the associations of fish farmers registered throughout the territory.
He said the training would raise awareness of the technical aspects involved in domestic and commercial fish production in varieties such as catfish; Tilapia niloticus and Heterotis niloticus.
The Secretary of Mandate who was represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Yahaya Husseini, explained that FCT Minister Dr. Ramatu Aliyu had approved the replication of the program in the 6 councils to ensure that 100,000 FCT fish farmers are adequately educated.
He said the training, which is free, included various fishing inputs including fish fry and fish feed for the 200 participants to enable them to grow their business.
According to the secretary, records indicate that Nigeria ranks as one of the top fish producing countries in sub-Saharan Africa with an annual production of 1.1 million tons and a local demand of about 3, 6 million a year, which the FCT has its fair share in the numbers.
READ ALSO IN NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
In her remarks, the Director of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ms. Ifeoma Okeke, said that the beneficiaries were well sensitized about the scheme.
"We have sensitized our farmers on the diversification of Aquaculture through the promotion of the culture of Oreochromis, they will be further trained today on management practices.
"Let the fish farmers take today's training seriously and put the new knowledge that will be learned today to good use. And to the beneficiaries, consider yourself lucky and return the favor for this good gesture of the FCT administration by supporting tilapia culture at FCT.”
She said department staff will visit the farms from time to time to offer additional technical assistance when needed.
“I am pleased to inform the Secretary of Mandate that the fish traders of FCT have decided to come together under one roof: fish farmers, sellers and processors unified,” she said.< /p>
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, FCT Unified Farmers, Sellers Association Chairman Abdulhafiz Afegbua said the training and empowerment will add value to fish farming in the territory.
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