The Ogun Government says it has embarked on training of youths on fish farming and various aquaculture value-chain on best practices toward maximum profit and food sufficiency in the state.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Adeola Odedina, made this known while declaring the training open on Saturday, organised for members of Ikangba Youth Fish Cluster in Odogbolu Local Government Area.
Odedina said the move was in line with the vision of the present administration to boost fish farming.
He said the training was aimed at linking beneficiaries to various aquaculture value-chain opportunities, including feed mill and marketing, so as to expand their scopes of activities.
The commissioner said that the Ikangba Youth Fish Cluster was the first to receive such training. “
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We came here last year and saw what Ogun youths are doing in aquaculture, and we also saw some lapses. “So, we decided to give them some capacity building and training from the ministry, together with some development partners. “
This is to support your investments and passion for agriculture. We want other youths to learn various aquaculture opportunities from you. “
Gov. Dapo Abiodun has graciously approved and provided funds for this training, so as to take you to the next level,” he said.
The commissioner said that the ministry would register farmers in the cluster in Anchor Borrowers’ Programme of the Federal Government.
According to him, this is to encourage them to bring their products for sale at the newly launched Agro-Shop at Oja-Irorun, in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. Also, Mr Tolu Bankole, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, urged the beneficiaries to get the best out of the training and maximise the knowledge gained.
Bankole said that fish production cost was cheaper, and was one of the best sources of protein. Also, Dr Dotun Sorunke, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, said that beyond the training, more inputs would be provided for youths to make all aspects of farming more attractive to them.
In his presentations, Mr Mulero Muibi, said that the competitive nature of the society informed the need for the trainees to be exposed to various aquaculture value-chain opportunities.
Muibi said that this was to improve their knowledge on every aspect of aquaculture value-chain production.
He urged the beneficiaries to be focussed and concentrate on every aspect of the training, advising them to utilise everything they were taught during the training.
Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Mr Eko Nicholas, thanked the state government for the support given to them. Nicholas assured the state government that they would utilise the knowledge gained for more productive ventures. (NAN)
