Speaking at an occasion to hand over the pelletized floating fish feed plant, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina said the equipment will boost fish feed production, create employment for youth and also eradicate poverty.
Speaking through President, Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, Mr. Placid Njoku, the minister disclosed that the Federal Government is working out support lines for farmers to boost local production of fish in order to drastically reduce the huge sum of money spent annually importing fish into the country.
He stated that about 2million tons of fish is consumed annually whereas only 700,000 tons is produced, leaving Nigeria with no option but to import 1.3 million tons of fish.
In his remarks Commissioner for Agriculture in Lagos State, Prince Gbolahan Lawal said the state government will not relent in the quest to assist fish farmers with fishing gear to boost fish production, adding that recently the government has assisted one of the cooperatives involved in fish production in Badagry division with outboard engines, fishing nets, boats and other inputs to increase fish production.
The commissioner who spoke through Director of Fisheries in the Ministry Agriculture, Mrs. Funmilayo Bamtefa said Lagos State Government is committed to assisting farmers in the state to boost food production and eliminate hunger.
Earlier in his welcome address, Oba Sateru II, the Ojomu of Ajiran, Oba Tijani Adetunji Akinloye explained that Akin Sateru Farms has a vision to be one of the foremost farms to be reckoned with both within the area of operation in Lagos State and in Nigeria as a whole.
“Our mission is to increase the protein-in-take of Nigerians and help them enjoy longer, healthier and more proactive living; and also to provide employment opportunities for young vibrant Nigerians as well as professionals in their area of specialization” he said.
He disclosed that the plant has the capacity to produce 1.3 tonnes of fish feed and over 1.5 tonnes of pet feed daily. Akinloye urged both federal and state government to assist in improving the power sector so as to reduce the high cost expended on diesel and maintenance of equipment in the country.
Present at the ceremony were His Royal Majesty Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Hon. Jide Akinloye, Member, Federal House of Representative, Mr. Tunde Owolabi Group Head, First Bank, Lagos, Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Agriculture, Dr Nureni Funso and professionals in various areas of agriculture and traditional chiefs and farmers.
