Anambra State is to benefit from the European Union (EU) 40 million Euros funding to boost and sustain fisheries and aquaculture in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (FISH4ACP).
Mr Emeka Iloghalu, Managing Director, Anambra State Fisheries and Aquaculture Business Development Agency, made the disclosure at a quarterly stakeholders forum, on Wednesday in Awka.
Iloghalu said that the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO-UN), delegation to Nigeria who visited Anambra recently, expressed satisfaction with the state’s model of fish farming.
“The delegates were impressed with the state’s fish farming model and commitment to the development of fisheries and aquaculture sector by creating the agency.
“They however, assured that Anambra state will benefit from the 40 million Euros mapped out for 12 countries in the Fish for Africa, Caribbean and Pacific programme (FISH4ACP).
“The FISH4ACP programme is to boost sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
“This is being implemented by FAO and funding from the EU and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
“The team from FAO-UN has also indicated interest to pay a visit to the state governor to consolidate the FISH4ACP programme implementation,” IIoghalu said.
According to him, the agency had also trained about 60 youths in Table Fish Production Business and through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme (AADS).
“They received N1.2million empowerment package to grow their businesses”, he said
He said that the training and empowerment was to advance the Fish Production Village Business Franchise project in line with the manifesto of Gov.Chukwuma Soludo.
“The Agency is committed to empowering and ensuring at least 100 fish millionaires yearly with the right support and equipment,” he said.
One of the 60 trainees and President, Table Fish Production Cooperative Society, Mr Christian Maduchie said the training equipped them in the process of breeding, raising, and transporting of fishes for domestic and commercial purposes.
“Already, I’m a millionaire, having been empowered by the government. But I do not just want to be a fish millionaire or even billionaire, but to extend the expertise to my friends and loved ones,” he said.
In October 2019, the EU, the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) signed a €40 million, five-year programme (FISH4ACP).
This is to boost the development of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
