Nigeria’s Aquaculture, Artisanal Fish Production Drops In 2017 – Report
The National Wet Season Agricultural Performance Survey (APS) 2017 recorded serious decrease in aquaculture and artisanal fish production in some states, compared to the performance in 2016.
The survey was conducted by the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the states ministries of agriculture.
The report, however, attributed the decline in fish production to the high cost of fish feeds, poor market for fish, non-access to credit facilities as well as aquatic pests and diseases, among others.
Adamawa produced 10,000 tonnes of fish in 2017, as against 20,000 tonnes produced in 2016; while fish production in Bauchi State and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) recorded a decrease of 21.62 per cent and 71 per cent in 2017.
Kogi produced 20,955 tonnes of fish in 2017, as against 271,315.11 tonnes produced in 2016, while Akwa Ibom recorded a 46 per cent decrease, producing 96,590 tonnes of fish, as against 178,871 tonnes produced in 2016.
However, the report indicated a slight increase in fish production in Gombe, Kwara and Oyo states.
It noted that Nigeria’s per capita fish consumption of 11kg. was still lower than the global average of 21kg.
The report said that the country’s total annual fish demand was estimated at 2.7 million tonnes, with the country’s fish farmers producing only 30 percent of the figure, resulting in an annual expenditure of N125 billion on fish imports.
It listed some fish diseases that contributed to the drop in production as fin rot, abdominal swellings, fish louse, bacterial diseases, abdominal dropsy and broken head diseases, among others.
“Given the fish supply gap domestically as well as across the West African sub-region, Nigeria is capable of becoming, not only self-reliant for its aquaculture needs but also serving as an export hub for other countries in the sub-region,’’ according to the report.
The maiden agricultural performance report was officially launched on Feb. 27 as a public document to guide agriculture-based decisions in the country.
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the document would help guide investments and government planning in the agriculture sector.
Source: independent
PRESS RELEASE: Nigeria Poised To Boost Production of Fish And Aquaculture – Lokpobiri
Worried by the low level of development in aquaculture in Nigeria, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri has expressed the readiness of the present administration to increase the level of fish production and aquaculture in the country.
The Minister stated this when he received in audience a 4 – man delegation of World Fish officials led by the Country Representative Director Dr. Harrison Chris Karisa in his office on Monday. Sen. Lokpobiri who was happy to receive the delegation stated that “Nigeria is poised to change the narrative in fish and aquaculture. We need to maximize the limited time to achieve world fish initiative”.
The Minister noted that Nigeria’s investment in Agriculture increased to 100 Billion Naira increase in 2017 from 15 billion Naira it was in 2015 and expressed optimism that sustainable fish production will also boost national revenue as well as serve as remedies of malnutrition and protein deficiency intake in Nigeria.
He assured the delegation that the country will partner the World Fish which is a highly reputable and respected organization as expert in the production of Tilapia which is more affordable for the poor masses .
Earlier, one of the delegates, Professor Yusuf Abubakar has expressed the desire of his organization to establish a Nigerian country office with more emphasis on boosting Tilapia fish industry in Nigeria, saying the country has lesson to learn from Egypt which today is the 3rd world producer of Tilapia fish
Professor Abubakar also said the Fish Research Organization would also build capacities of the Research Institutes which would in turn enhance the capacity of small holder farmers for a new programme in Tilapia fish production. He assured that Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation is ready to fund the proposed Word Fish Centre Nigeria fishing programmme.
The visit by the delegation of World Fish Organization to the Ministry was a build up to the 2 day stakeholders’ workshop on development of World Fish Research in Nigeria which is being organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with World Fish .
PRESS RELEASE: Minister Inaugurates 23 Boards Under Agric Ministry
The Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri (PHD) yesterday at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja, inaugurated Chairmen and Members of Boards of 23 parastatals, Agencies and Institutions under the supervision of his Ministry with a charge that members should regard their appointments as clarion call to service.
He likewise enjoined them to see themselves as partners in progress with government by way of deploying their competencies and wealth of experience to give strategic direction to agencies they are appointed to serve, for quicker attainment of goals that the agencies are established to achieve.
“Distinguished Chairmen and Board members, I want you to regard your new appointments as a clarion call to service and be partners in progress. We require your competencies and wealth of experience to support the institutions you are appointed into, by giving strategic direction and ensuring attainment of the goals they were set up to deliver”, the Minister stated.
Senator Lokpobiri also reminded the new Board members appointees to be mindful of their non-executive and part time role and noted that “You have statutory responsibilities to bring your wealth of experience to bear on policy articulation and formulation for your agencies”.
The Minister, who also enjoined Heads of Agencies and Parastatals to work amicably with their Boards, reminded all that the Buhari administration is committed to bringing about positive change in the lives of our people and improvement in their standard of living; saying this can only be achieved through accountability and transparency in the conduct of government business. He particularly urged the Board Members to be change agents by letting accountability and zero-tolerance for corruption to be their watchword.
Responding on behalf of Chairmen and Members of Boards of Agencies inaugurated, the Chairman of Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Barr Adetunji Ajagbe thanked Mr. President for counting them worthy among other qualified Nigerian to be appointed and assured that they will do their best to justify the confidence reposed in them.
He noted that agriculture is so crucial to attainment of food security, employment generation and diversification of the economy and assured that they will do their best to assist the nation to achieve the objective.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Bukar Hassan while congratulating the new appointees said it is no mean achievements to be recognized by the President and appointed to carry out such important assignment among the arrays of talented Nigerians spread across the country.
He promised to make available to them individually; the necessary extant rules and regulations that will assist them achieve success in their assignment.
