BAUCHI – A large scale fish farmer in Bauchi, Alhaji Haruna Bako, has said that with adequate financial support from government, fish farmers could play a role in the struggle to contain the spread of Ebola disease.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Saturday that increased fish production could lower prices and make them affordable to people, thereby shifting attention from the dreaded “bush-meat”, to fish.
“With the current threat of Ebola disease, consumption trend would shift from bush-meat to fish because of affordability, and that development in itself is healthy,” he said.
He however lamented that large scale fish farming, was capital intensive, hence the need for government to come to their rescue for them to remain in business.
According to him, over 100 fish farmers in Bauchi state, have been forced to quit the trade due to its highly demanding nature and lack of enabling environment.
“We are faced with harsh conditions, such as lack of extension services, capital to acquire lands, construct facilities, buy enough fingerlings and other inputs.
“A lot of people are interested in fish farming, but when they invest huge amount and start operating at a loss, they quit,” he said.
He said that if government could advance loans to the farmers and monitor their business to ensure that such monies were recouped, fish production in the state and the country at large, would increase.
“If loans are granted to the farmers and they remain in business, they would not only meet the protein needs of the country, but also create job opportunities for youths,” he said. (NAN)