NAN-AE-6
Fishery
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, Feb. 1, 2017 (NAN) A specialist on fisheries with the Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Mrs Florence Makinde, on Wednesday advised fish farmers to consider market proximity in pond selection.
She said proximity to market and accessibility were important factors to consider before establishing fish farms to avoid spending much money on transportation.
Makinde said this while giving a lecture on fish pond selection at the Farmers Field School Day organised by Ibadan-Ibarapa Zone of Oyo State ADP in Ibadan.
“There is no point and profit made when your fish farm is very far from the market, you would have spent more than half of your money just for transportation alone before selling,” she said.
Makinde urged the farmers to also consider the environment of ponds to avoid causing hazards to residents of the area.
“Most ponds have dried up now, so adequate rehabilitation should be made; this is the time to rehabilitate pond bottoms and remove all the debris to maintain the required state and to avoid problems.
“ The environment of the pond must also be rehabilitated to clear every debris around,” she said.
Also speaking, a specialist on Women in Agriculture in the Oyo State ADP, Mrs Sarah Opajobi, urged youths and women to engage in income generating ventures.
Opajobi said income generating ventures such as production of Zobo drink, ginger, Kunu and Soya milk yield good profit.
“They should join the business rather than waiting for white collar jobs.
“ Drying of ginger and sale of its powder too provides good income.
“ Most people in the business are even exporting now; so it’s better for one to start such businesses rather than stay idle,” she said.
She further advised Nigerians to imbibe the culture of taking Zobo drink because of its health benefits.
“The spices used for zobo– ginger, black pepper and cloves– are anti-oxidants for the body, ” she said. (NAN)
CC/COF/OJO
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(Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/ Mufutau Ojo)