A total of 449 fish farmers across Edo State have been empowered in agricultural input and modern farming technics since 2018.

Mr. Friday Ehimare, the Director, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Edo disclosed this in Ekehuan Village, Ovia North East Local government Area of the State during the department’s sensitisation campaign against obnoxious Fisheries practices.

He revealed that the campaign had become necessary following the continuous use of harmful chemicals in aqua-culture.

According to him, the state government in its bid to boost protein intake of it populace, create job and income, had created fish cluster farming empowerment under the commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme (CACs).

“A total of eight cluster made up 449 fish farmers have so far been empowered…The campaign is essentially to discourage fish farmers against the use of chemicals in aquatic ecosystem and to educate them on the best and acceptable practices.

“The use of chemicals such as gammalin 20, DDT among others when introduced into water kills every living things in the water.

“Some common fish species such gold fish, butterfly fish, other organisms like turtle, snails and crabs are rarely found in the water due to continuous use of harmful chemicals,” he said.

According to him, the chemical residue in fish muscle is also dangerous to fish consumers and also reduce income. So we will continue to educate them.

Ehimare, thanked the governor for the approval for funding of the campaign.

Mr Faith Eyituoyor, the chairman of fish farmers in the village, thanked in his remark, thanked the ministry for the education and promised to adhere to the aqua-culture best practices.

 44 total views