By Terna Chikpa
The Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria (FCFN) has called on the Taraba State Government to establish a Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Programme from 2027 to boost fish production and create jobs for women and youths in the state.
The acting National President of the association and National Coordinator of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Value Chain Database Capture Programme, Mashi Gabriel Sani, made the appeal during a press briefing in Jalingo.
Sani also urged the state government to develop a comprehensive fisheries master plan and database, establish input and hatchery centres, create aquaculture clusters, provide fish processing and cold-chain facilities, improve access to finance and introduce special programmes for women and youths.
While commending Governor Agbu Kefas for recognising fisheries and aquaculture as sectors capable of generating employment, the association said developing the industry could create thousands of jobs and help reduce unemployment in the state.
He said, “We are here on behalf of FCFN and the fisheries and aquaculture community in Taraba State to express our profound appreciation to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Taraba State, for his deliberate recognition of fisheries and aquaculture as a sector capable of creating thousands of jobs and reducing unemployment in the state.
“This declaration is significant because Taraba is naturally endowed with rivers, lakes, dams and wetlands. Yet these resources have not been adequately developed to their full economic potential.
“For many years, fisheries and aquaculture have received insufficient attention and investment. Fish farmers, fisherfolk, processors, traders, women and young people continue to face challenges, including the high cost of feed, inadequate fingerlings, limited access to finance, poor processing and cold-chain infrastructure, weak extension services and limited market opportunities.
“We commend Governor Kefas for declaring that, from 2027, the state will develop strategic measures to harness its aquatic resources for fisheries, food security, processing, employment and community livelihoods.”
Sani said a new initiative by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy presented an opportunity for Taraba to improve fish production and strengthen the fisheries value chain.
He said the ministry had constituted a Technical Committee on Accelerating Fish Production in Nigeria to identify practical measures to increase output, strengthen the value chain and create employment.
“While serving as a member of that federal technical committee as a son of Taraba State and as acting National President of FCFN, I intend to use the opportunity to ensure that Taraba’s fisheries potential and the challenges confronting our fish farmers and fisherfolk are properly represented at the national level,” he said.
The association also recommended the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture or a properly empowered State Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Agency to give the sector the institutional attention it deserves.
“Taraba has the water resources, Taraba has the people, Taraba has the opportunity. What we need is deliberate investment, proper coordination and sustained government support.
“We believe that if properly developed, fisheries and aquaculture can become one of the major pillars of Taraba’s economy, creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs while improving food security, household incomes and rural livelihoods,” the association said.
The FCFN pledged to work with the Federal and Taraba State governments, development partners, investors, financial institutions and cooperative members to translate the proposal into practical results.