Nigeria to develop aquaculture

Nigeria will collaborate
with the D8 to develop the nation's aquaculture,
the acting Director, Department of Fisheries,
Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Foluke Areola,
has said.
Areola said this on Tuesday in an interview with
journalists on the sidelines of the opening
ceremony of the D8 meeting in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that
the D8 (Developing 8) is a bloc of developing
countries partnering to develop agriculture and
trade among member states.
She said the need for collaboration was necessary
to implement the country’s policy on the
reduction of fish importation by 25 per cent.
Areola said Nigeria was the best in the continent
in cat fish production but could still learn from the
experiences of other countries.
`` We are cooperating in the areas of agriculture
and trade; but this working group is on Marine
affairs and fisheries which are the main areas that
the G8 countries are collaborating.
``We are focusing on technology transfer,
training, eco-tourism and development generally
in the area of marine affairs, research, training
and capacity building.
`` This country is moving from a mono culture
production to a multi specie culture of fish in a bid
to implement the policy of a 25 per cent reduction
on the importation of fish.
``We cannot continue as a country on fish
importation when we have the environment, the
climate to grow fish all year round.
``So for us to achieve that policy, we have to
learn from what these countries have done in the
area of tilapia production.’’
She said that the Agricultural Transformation
Agenda of the Federal Government would benefit
from the D8 collaborations as there would be
cross fertilisation of ideas.
``When it comes to research, everybody comes
up with one form of research or the other and
the result can benefit other countries even outside
the D8.
``We are sharing information on technology
transfer in fish processing, fingerling productions
and in marine fisheries.''
Mrs Lizzy Igbine, the representative of the
Nigerian Women Allied Agro Farmers
Association, stressed the need for the D8 to open
up the International market space for member
states.
``What we want the D8 to do for us is to allow
access to international market among the D8
countries.
“We also want access to solutions because a
problem in one country could be a solution in the
hands of another country.’’
Igbine said the involvement of the private sector
was necessary as the decisions of the D8 would
fall back on the sector.
The Iranian representative, Mr Ali Daraei, said the
D8 member countries had a lot of potentials and
capabilities, adding that the collaboration would
bring prosperity to member states.
He acknowledged that the countries had their
various weaknesses and strength but expressed
optimism that the bloc would succeed.
``I think all the countries had a lot of potentials
and capabilities and the D8 countries can work as
a group to increase the cooperation among
member states.
``Each country had its merits and demerits, and if
we cooperate with each other, with team work,
each country can benefit from the capabilities of
other countries.
`` We can make a strong connection and bring
prosperity for all countries.’’