The Plateau state Ministry of Agriculture has begun the training of over 200 registered fish farmers on feed production. The State director of fisheries Mr Talgwan Wuyep said that the training was supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) which is the United Nation (UN) food agency.

Wuyep stated that the farmers will receive the basic skills in feed production and farm management training. He said “The training has become necessary in view of the rising cost of feeds, and it will equip the farmers with the relevant skills that would help cut fish production cost. This could go a long way in boosting fish production not only in the state but the country at large.”

The Plateau state Ministry of Agriculture has begun the training of over 200 registered fish farmers on feed production. The State director of fisheries Mr Talgwan Wuyep said that the training was supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) which is the United Nation (UN) food agency.

Wuyep stated that the farmers will receive the basic skills in feed production and farm management training. He said “The training has become necessary in view of the rising cost of feeds, and it will equip the farmers with the relevant skills that would help cut fish production cost. This could go a long way in boosting fish production not only in the state but the country at large.”

He added that the state has one of the highest prospects for the development of aquaculture and fisheries production in the country and that the training will assist farmers explore abundant potentials. The director said that the Panyam fish farm in Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) has got a capacity of producing 3,900 tonnes of fish annually when rehabilitated and that the private sector could produce 1,000 tonnes.

Wuyep said “Plateau is blessed with good natural and man-made habitats for fish production with over 100 fish ponds with an estimated water surface area of 300 hectares. It has 20 dams and reservoirs with estimated water surface area of 673 hectares as well as 12 natural lakes with an estimated water surface area of 365 hectares. In addition, out of over 1,000 abandoned mining ponds on the Plateau, 24 were certified fit for fish production with an estimated water surface area of 203 hectares.”

The director expressed regret over the massive reliance on fish imports from other countries and the short supply of locally produced fish despite the abundant resources in the country. He said that Plateau state will strive to turn things around with the development of the fisheries and aquaculture industries.

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Plateau train fish farmers on feed production