By Praise Chinecherem
Anambra State Government is to collaborate with a Non Governmental Organisation, Solidaridad, to train fish farmers and develop aquaculture sector activities in line with revolutionazing the state’s agriculture economy.
Solidaridad West Africa, is an international non profit and solution oriented organisation that works with relevant actors in the agricultural and non agricultural sectors promoting sustainable and inclusive commodity value chains across the globe.
Rising from an engagement meeting with the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor, in his office, they noted that the collaboration would go a long way in stimulating the production of fishery and aquaculture in the state.
Ihejiofor, emphasized that the Ministry was already engaged in conversation on how to improve nutrition of which fish consumption would be highly beneficial for healthy living.
“Government is interested in creating and promoting enabling environment for aquaculture to thrive,” he said.
He described training of 175 fish farmers across the state as well as proposed training and empowerment of 15 youths under the “One Youth, Two Skills Programme” as critical and part of commitment to providing opportunities for young people to create wealth.
Contributing, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka, while calling for stronger collaboration, said the engagement aimed at harnessing abundant potentials in the sector.
According to her, the ministry has a reservoir of human resource needed to drive the programme, noting that right selection of trainees is key to recording success stories.
Earlier, Programme Manager of the Group, Mr Ken Onukwube, said they considered it proper to visit and update the ministry on their activities targeted to leverage on skill development as an avenue to unlock greater opportunities.
He pointed out that the meeting would equip them with better knowledge and understanding in addressing issues as it affects aquaculture.
The Programme Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer, Ogochukwu Akunna said they had commenced rehabilitation of the Ministry’s Hatchery for optimal use, trained 175 farmers in six selected local government areas on aquaculture practices and to train additional 575.
He mentioned the six local government areas to include, Anaocha, Awka South, Nnewi North, Idemmili North, Onitsha South and Aguata.
“For Anambra State, the aim is to train and support 750 aquaculture farmers with improved access to inputs and services including provision of Smoking kilns and Water Testing Kits.
” We also want to key into the “One Youth, Two Skills” initiative to train and empower 15 female youths on aquaculture,” she added.
