Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting fish farmers in the state, emphasising the sector’s role in job creation, food security, and nutrition.
This declaration came as the state celebrated World Fisheries Day under the theme, “The Economic Significance of Fishery to the Development of Kwara State.”
Speaking at the event, which was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the governor, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Oloruntoyosi Thomas, highlighted Kwara’s leading role in catfish production in Nigeria.
He assured fish farmers of continuous government support, including access to equipment, incentives, and innovative solutions to address challenges such as high feed costs.
“As a state, the fish sub-sector is important to us. Apart from creating jobs for our teeming youth, its nutritional benefits are crucial. We are committed to enhancing both the quantity and quality of our fish production to establish Kwara as a state prioritizing nutrition and sustainable agriculture,” he said.
The governor also announced ongoing collaborations with the University of Ilorin, Kwara State University, and private stakeholders to develop high-quality, cost-effective fish feed alternatives.
“We are exploring substitutes for the expensive components of feed formulation, particularly proteins, to make fish farming more sustainable,” he added.
The event was attended by prominent stakeholders, including Saba Yisa Gideon, Chairman of the Kwara House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture, who commended the government’s training programmes for farmers on feed formulation.
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He acknowledged that high production costs have discouraged many farmers but expressed optimism about the government’s intervention.
Funke Sokoya, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, highlighted key challenges facing fish farming, including climate change and aquatic ecosystem management.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing these issues to ensure sustainable fisheries, which are vital for food security and poverty alleviation.
Other notable attendees included Musa Muhammad, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Agriculture; Wasiu Adeyemi Jimoh, Head of the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries at the University of Ilorin; and representatives from the Fisheries Society of Nigeria and Kwara State Fish Breeders Association.
Governor Abdulrazaq urged young people to explore opportunities within the fishery value chain, emphasizing its economic potential.
“We encourage our youth to engage productively in this sector to boost their livelihoods and contribute to the state’s economy,” he said.
As part of the event, the governor launched a fish hatchery initiative aimed at enhancing local fish production and promoting self-sufficiency among fish farmers.
