A Professor of Fish Post-Harvest Quality and Utilisation, John Daramola, has called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts in addressing challenges militating against fish production to achieve national food security.
Daramola, of the Department of Agriculture, College of Food, Agricultural Science and technology,Bells University of Technology, made the call while delivering the 10th Inaugural lecture of the institution on Friday in Ota.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lecture has as its theme: “From Water To Table:Securing Safe And Wholesome Fish For Public Health”
The don identified numerous factors hampering fish production and culture in Nigeria to include, untimely funding of fisheries projects and research,lack of reliable data for effective planning; scarcity and high cost of fishing inputs.
Others problems are lack of fish feed industries; lack of finance and access to credits and loans for prospective fish farmers, lack of patronage and promotions of fish farmers,artisanal fisheries to the detriment of aquaculture, ineffective extension officer services, among others.
Daramola said that in sub-Saharan Africa,small-scale fisheries provides over 60 per cent of the domestic fish and constitute a critical source of income.
The don, however, said that Post-Harvest fish losses in developing nations are estimated protein, and micronutrients for millions of households.
” The federal government needs to provide enabling environment for fish farmers to thrive in order to sustain domestic consumption and serves as mean of generating more revenue for the country.
“The aquaculture in Nigeria could be described as fairly well developed, much remains to be done, and with better planning, incentives and commitment from the government.
“While the country can drastically reduce or eliminate fish importation and ensure that aquaculture takes its rightful place in the forefront of fish production to secure food security in the country.”he said.
Daramola urges the government to enhanced Post-Harvest systems for safe fish consumption and reduce waste valuation in feeds for farmers.(NAN)