The Federal Government of Nigeria has divulged that the country is saving up to N300 million every year from the replacement of imported fish feeds. An estimated 25 pct of the 45,000 metric tonnes of feed imported into Nigeria.
Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, explained while speaking at the Ministerial Platform at the 2012 Democracy Day celebrations in the capital, Abuja.
He, revealed that the nation were expending close to N117.7 billion every year on the import of fish feed, and said 4 major investors in the feeds production sector had been keyed out to boost production capacity in order to satisfy local requirements
Dr Adesina named the investors as Wonder Feeds in Kaduna State, Grand Cereals in Jos, Plateau State; Durante in Oyo State; and Multifeeds, an Israeli company; all of whom he said had stated their interest in the massive feeds' production.
Dr Adesina also added that the government has finished the schooling of 120 expected investors in the new all male Tilapia production technology to increase overall yield.
The minister went on to explain that the current administration was branching out the production of fish from artisan to aquaculture and explore moneymaking chances.
Adesina added that the government's aims in the fisheries and aquaculture value chain, were to produce an environment for increased and sustainable output of in excess of one million MT of aquaculture.
According to him, the government had projected enough output of fingerlings and juvenile fish to span the supply gap in the Nation's requirement and to output 1.25 billion fish 'seed' each year; 400,000 MT of fish feed, along with the development of brood-stock bank.
The Minister remarked with delight that a large amount of locally based fish feed manufacturers in the 36 states of Nigeria and Abuja, in collaboration with the Nigeria Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), that had been accomplished.
Dr Adesina further stated that this was only accomplishable with the involvement of fish farmers located in five states who stated production of lower-grade Tilapia for the production of fish meal to supply and use in local feed mills as a feed ingredient.
