The Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Development in Delta State last Sunday said it would distribute 10,000 fishing nets and accessories to artisan fish farmers under its Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme.
The Director in the ministry, Mr Felix Kehis, said in an interview in Asaba that the gesture was part of government’s efforts to empower fish farmers in the riverine communities across the state.
“This January, we are going to distribute 10,000 fishing nets and other accessories free to artisan fishermen, in the fishing communities in Delta State under GES initiative. “We also have artificial fishing ponds for distributing to fish farmers at the agro service centre, Koko, in Warri North Local Government Area,” he said adding that the ministry would also distribute 1,700 units of improved plantain and banana suckers to farmers in the state.
He recalled that last year, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FOA), through the ministry, distributed fingerlings and fish feeds to the farmers affected by the 2012 flood disaster in the state.
Kehis said that the organisation, in a bid to boost agriculture in the state, trained 13 agricultural extension workers at the Amadu Bello University, Zaria.
“These agents will be deployed to work with the farmers in their respective communities; they will give farmers informal education on planting methods, harvest and post-harvest operations,’’ he said.
