FAO launches initiative to boost catfish production, value chain

By Matthew Eloyi

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) claims that its FISH4ACP initiative in Nigeria will enhance catfish production and the African catfish value chain, which is worth $625 million.

FISH4ACP is “an initiative of the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) aimed at ensuring the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture value chains in order to contribute to food and nutrition security, economic prosperity, and job creation.”

This was said by FAO Representative in Nigeria Fred Kafeero during the FISH4ACP Catfish Value Chain Analysis Validation Workshop held in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to him, fisheries production in African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries increased from 4.6 million tons in 1990 to 8.5 million tons in 2016, while aquaculture production increased from 50, 000 tons to 790,000 tons during the same time period.

The Country Representative, who was represented by Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, stated that the project in Nigeria would focus on promoting small-scale fish producers and creating various jobs.

According to Kafeero, Nigeria’s aquaculture production expanded from 22,000 tons to over 300,000 tons in 2017, accounting for less than 10% of worldwide fish commerce.

In his words, “The project focuses on catfish and for this, the inception phase of the project commenced with a comprehensive analysis of the catfish value chain.

“This is very important not only in generating evidence but also in designing and upgrading strategy that will aligned to the strategic objectives of the project.

“FISH4ACP will pay special attention to small and medium-sized businesses, because of their potential to deliver economic and social benefits, particularly for women and youth.”

He voiced concern, however, that rising strain on ecosystems and the effects of climate change have hampered the sector’s contribution to economic growth, food security, and nutritional security.

Ime Umoh, Director of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Fishery Department, also spoke, saying that the government has made significant investments in the country’s Fishery sector.

Machinery has also been put in place to help the FAO’s fishery initiative succeed, according to Umoh.

According to reports, that FISH4ACP is a five-year initiative currently implemented by FAO to address gaps and contribute to food and nutrition security, economic prosperity and job creation.

Its purpose is to ensure the long-term economic, social, and environmental viability of ACP fisheries and aquaculture value chains.

The European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development are funding the project (BMZ).

The intervention aims to boost the productivity and competitiveness of 12 fisheries and aquaculture value chains in ten OACPS member countries, while also ensuring that economic gains are accompanied by environmental sustainability and social inclusion.