NAN-AE-2
Aquaculture
By Modupe Seriboh
Ibadan, Feb.16, 2017 (NAN) Mrs Mojisola Siyanbola, a Senior Lecturer, Department of Biology, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, has emphasised the need for government at all levels to make pragmatic approach to the development of aquaculture in Nigeria.
Siyanbola, a Hydro-biology and Fishery expert gave the advice during an inaugural lecture she delivered at the institution on Wednesday evening in Ibadan.
The lecture is entitled: “Nigeria’s Fish Supply Deficit: Bridging the Gap through Sustainable Aquaculture”.
Siyanbola said that there had been a serious threat to food security status of Nigeria with the animal protein sector severely affected.
According to her, Nigeria is the largest fish consumer in the world with over 1.5 million tonnes of fish consumed annually.
She said that this was based on the current world per capital fish consumption of about 13.0kg per year, adding that the projected fish demand for 2016 was 3.65 million metric tonnes.
Siyanbola said that about 5.20 million metric tonnes of fish would be required by Nigerians by the year 2030.
“Research shows that the fishery sector has contributed to the national economy with the sector generating 96.2 million dollars in 2009 which is the highest so far from 1995 till date.
“From all indications, aquaculture has a real potential of increasing fish production to meet our domestic needs and for export.’’
She said that aquaculture occupied a special place in the current Agriculture Promotion Policy of the Federal Government (2016-2020).
“Fish occupies a vital position in the fishery sector of Nigeria economy in terms of provision of affordable and high quality protein for the population.
“Nigeria population is growing and the country’s food security challenges will grow with it.
“At the current growthrate of domestic food production, Nigeria is unable to feed its growing population.’’
She suggested that the Federal and State governments should work out strategies that would attract young Nigerians into the fish farming sub-sector as a panacea to youth unemployment.
Siyanbola stressed the need to transform aquaculture from subsistence to commercial level.
The development of aquaculture had become necessary to the nation in the areas of food security, livelihood and infrastructural development. (NAN)
MAM/MA/MO
========Edited by Muftau Adediran/Morayo Omolade