Fish importation to be reduced by 2015 #nigeria

The Minister of
Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi
Adesina, on Tuesday said that government
planned to reduce fish importation by 2015.
Adesina gave this indication at the distribution of
fishing equipment under the Artisan Growth
Enhancement Support Scheme and Acqua-
Culture project at Ganaja Riverside in Lokoja.
Represented by Mr Dare Arotiba, the Coordinator
of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda in the
state, the minister said the items were being
given to farmers at 50 per cent subsidy.
He said that the gesture was aimed at boosting
fish production and meet local consumption.
``The Federal Government has decided to reduce
fish importation into the country to the barest
minimum by 2015.
``The distribution of equipment will be extended
to fish farmers in riverine states across the
country.
``The Agriculture Transformation Agenda and the
Growth Enhancement Support Scheme are
designed to make inputs available to farmers in
order to ensure food security,” he said.
According to him, the other objectives of the
schemes are generation of employment, creation
of wealth for farmers and improvement of the
sector's contribution to GDP.
Gov Idris Wada, who spoke at the occasion, said
that the inputs would boost activities of fishermen
in the state.
Wada said that fisheries would be established
across the three senatorial districts of the state to
encourage the farmers.
He commended the Federal Government for
supporting farmers with necessary inputs.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that
items distributed include engine boats, fishing
nets, insulating boxes and sinkers.