The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, on Thursday, stated that the Ultra Modern Fish Hatchery facility would enhance the aquaculture sub-sector and generate revenue for Nigerian farmers.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Ultra Modern fish facility in Calabar, Cross River State, Kyari said the facility has the capacity to produce 20 million fingerlings and 12 million juveniles annually.
He noted that, in addition to contributing to food security, the hatchery project would serve as a hub for employment and income generation for youth and women in the aquaculture sub-sector.
“The facility has the capacity to produce 20 million fingerlings and 12 million juveniles per year and will also serve as a training and research center, visibly aligning with the strategic objectives of our nation’s food security agenda.
“Our commitment to agro-industrialization is evident in our strong support for establishing this facility of excellence for Fishery and Aquaculture, aimed at enhancing collaboration between the government and the private sector to drive development in the sub-sector,” Kyari said.
The Chief of Party, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Feed the Future Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services Activity, Dr. Ben Odoemena, pledged his commitment to the project.
Odoemena said that the organization would continue to “provide technical support for the aquaculture sub-sector” in line with the current administration’s policy direction in agriculture.
The Chief Information Officer of FMAFS, Eremah Anthonia, noted that attendees included critical stakeholders, international development partners, IFAD LIFE-ND, USAID, state commissioners of agriculture, and state permanent secretaries, among others.