Farmer urges govt to regulate fish importation
By Kehinde Oluwatayo
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An appeal has gone to the Federal government to regulate the importation of fish into the country to encourage local production.
An aquaculturist and the Public Relations Officer of Aquaculturist and Fish Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Ondo State chapter, Mr Oluwafemi Aluko made the appeal while speaking with The Hope in Akure.
According to him, if government can regulate the importation, a time will come when fish will not be imported to the country.
“Government may not stop the importation once but may allow importation of 40 per cent of what the nation consumes and let local production be 60 per cent, then reduce it to 70/30 percent until it is completely stopped”
“Our people are used to imported fish. Apart from the fact that it is cheaper, stopping it suddenly might be difficult. There is the need for them to get used to locally grown fish and know the benefits”, he said
Attributing the high cost of locally grown fish to the cost of production, Aluko said the cost of production of one kilogram of table size catfish is N650 adding that farmers are selling forN850 which he believed is reasonable
He said the cost of production of imported fish is the trawler, icing amounting to almost zero since they are caught from sea which is why one kilogram is sold for about N350 and N400.
Highlighting the benefits of catfish which is the most common specie of locally grown fish, Aluko said the oil reduces cholesterol in the body according to expert.
He said it is the highest source of protein and taste better than the imported adding that it is better health wise since it is white meat.
According to him, the need to change the orientation of Nigerians not to see catfish as meant for the rich is highly necessary to discourage importation.
Aluko also called on government to make fund available to farmers and subsidise inputs for them.
He said government should support them in the area of capacity building adding that there are a lot of researches going that they do not have access to.
He however advised the farmers not to relent in their efforts to ensure that locally grown fish is available and form synergy to penetrate the market around.
