FG launches cottage fish farms in Abuja, Ekiti, five other states

MINISTER of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, has revealed that the federal government has established cottage fish farms in Abuja, Ekiti, Borno, Imo, Katsina, Nasarawa as well as Rivers states to promote the production of quality fish.

Ogbeh, who made this known during the commemoration of 2017 World Food Day, said the establishment of the fish farms is a product of the Agriculture Promotion Policy (APP) and would reduce Nigeria’s $5million annual expenditure on fish importation.

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The minister also stated that the federal government has established a National Aquaculture Certification Centre and carried out a nationwide standardisation and certification of fish farms and processing facilities in compliance with HACCP, EU directives and US Tracy Law to facilitate the export of fish products to foreign markets.

He added that more than 200 kilns have been distributed by the ministry to selected fish markets and farmers nationwide in order to boost shelf life, promote preservation and reduce post-harvest loss in fish production and processing in the country.

Ogbeh, also noted that up to 33 silos complexes with a combined capacity of 1,360,000 metric tonnes and 48 commodity warehouses have been constructed in various parts of the country.