Fish Production: ECOWAS Trains 150 Youths in Anambra State

No more than 150 Anambra youths from various communities of the state are undergoing the drill on table fish production, funded by the Economic Community of West African States – ECOWAS. The training which started weeks ago at Anambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu, in Awka North LGA of Anambra State, is facilitated by Emeka Iloghalu, a reputable, sort-after and experienced fish value chain consultant, who doubles as the MD/CEO of Anambra State Fisheries and Aquaculture Business Development Agency – FABDA.

The 150 youths undergoing the training are divided into six groups and taken through the rungs of table fish production as a profitable business venture, not just as skill or hubby.

According to Emeka Iloghalu, agriculture in Anambra State is not a singular field of endeavour, as it is in other places. “In Anambra State, there are sixteen segments delineated in the fishery value chain. Table fish production is a segment in the value chain.” Regretting that Nigeria still regards the entire value chain in agriculture as one, Iloghalu observed that it is one of the reasons Nigeria has yet to scratch the surface of the limitless opportunities in any of the various value chains and segments of agriculture. However, for Anambra State, Iloghalu noted that it is different. “At inception, the governor of Anambra State Prof. Soludo said he intends to create millionaires in Anambra State yearly”, he said, emphasizing that with capacity building on fish production like the one sponsored by ECOWAS, it won’t be long before Anambra started producing “fish millionaires”.

Emeka Iloghalu who spoke to select journalists on ECOWAS-sponsored training for 150 youths in the state said that Anambra has a vision for the fishery. “In Anambra State, fish farming is precise. That formed the basis for ECOWAS-sponsored training for youths. ECOWAS is sponsoring 150 youths in Anambra State for table fish production. As a state, we have a vision for the fishery. Our vision is to be the largest and most visible fish-producing state in West Africa.”

To achieve this, he said, there must be investment in basic infrastructure and human capital. Interestingly, aside from the vision, Iloghalu also noted that the FABDA has three strategic targets that are driving it. The first is to achieve self-sufficiency in tablefish for Anambra State. The second one is to produce a surplus for supply to industries and finally produce more for exportation. “What we are looking at is a situation where Anambra State can produce 51 thousand KG per annum,” Emeka said.

The training has also exposed trainees to the use of “Taenprowiz”, an application developed to help fish farmers generate useful data and monitor their fish from beginning till maturity.

Reacting, some leaders of the trainee divided into six groups spoke to journalists, describing their experience. According to Ifeanyi Okori, trainee, from Ihiala local government, the training is impactful. “We are using Taenprowiz to guide the fish. We record feeding, weight, and others. We are serious in this training and what I have learned is good and can never leave me. Immediately the training is over, I will begin implementation,” he said. For Ezeanya Ebuka, a trainee from Aguata local government, “the interesting thing about business is to collect data and use it to make decisions and see if you are making a profit or losing. I have also learned that it’s important to do things structurally. I now understand how to use improved technology to run a fish business,” Ezeanya said. On her part, Ukamaka Ifejirika from Anaocha, described her experience as “wonderful”. “It has been a wonderful experience. Coming here, I have learned that “fish farming” is not the proper name. You know, as a business person, there are some things you are supposed to be doing as a business person. Taenprowiz helps you to organize. I have learned how fish are fed, and how to measure it. You need to know and be sure and accurate. Most fish farmers don’t pay attention to these things. Coming here, I have learned that you must pay attention to these things. You need the data so that you know where you are having an issue and fix it.” For Chinonso Okeke from Nnewi South local government, the training has exposed him to standard ways of fish production. “There are standard ways of producing fish which is different from normal fish farming. With the introduction of taenprowiz, it helps one to collect data that is useful in this