© Aquabashy
According to Aquabashy, the event was well attended by stakeholders in the fisheries and aquaculture industry. Kwara State director of fisheries, Alhaji Ganiyu Oba, gave the opening remark on behalf of Kwara State commissioner of agriculture and rural development, Oloruntoyisi Thomas.
The Kwara State co-ordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Aliyu Isa Kabir gave the goodwill message on behalf of the minister of agriculture and food security.
A lecture on integrated value chain-addition in blue economy; aquaculture and fisheries approach was delivered by Ajibola Olawale, from the College of Fisheries and Agricultural Technology (ACOFAT).
The stakeholders panel discussion comprises the president of the Association of Fish Farmers in Kwara (AFFAK), Brig Gen ST Olasupo, president of Asa River Fishermen Association Sodiq Sulaimoh, head of Department Aquaculture and Fisheries, University of Ilorin Dr A A Ayeloja, proprietor of College of Fisheries and Agricultural Technology ACOFAT Irra and Dr Adejumo A Oluyemisi, assistant director of the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM).
Some of the questions asked by the association presidents were on challenges facing fish farmers and fishermen in Kwara State that need urgent intervention. They highlighted challenges including the high price of fish farming inputs such as nets, vessels, fish feeds and fish seeds and the lack of cold storage facilities to eliminate post-harvest losses.
Other stakeholders in the panel session were asked about interventions developed so far to address fisheries and aquaculture challenges. Dr Ayeloja responded by highlighting some research carried out in the area of fish breeding and genetics and warned fish farmers to avoid the use of harmful chemicals for pond preparation and treatment as these can cause the fish to be carcinogenic when eaten.
Dr Adejumo pointed to some of the activities of the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) in the areas of modern smoking kilns for processing and preservation of fish products.
