Catfish And Allied Farmers Association Of Nigeria CAFFAN Port Harcourt Branch has recognized efforts made by Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in promoting aquaculture and fisheries in the region.
At the association’s honorary event in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, themed “Aquaculture, a True Business Opportunity, Empowerment and Economic Development”, CAFFAN praised the Commission for making it possible for their members to grow their business and positively contribute to the growth of the state and the region.
The chairman of CAFFAN, Elder Clapton Ogolo said: “Today is a day set aside to honor those involved in building the capacity of catfish farming and agriculture at large, particularly the NDDC for the role they play in advancing agriculture for youth development and employment.”
The event, which had in attendance farmers from across the state, as well as government representatives, also provided the platform to discuss ways on harnessing the opportunities associated with fish farming, according to the association.
Speaking at the event, interim administrator of NDDC, Dr. Efiong Akwa, represented by the Commission’s director of fisheries and aquaculture, Mr Felix Amorue, reiterated the important role agriculture plays in the economy.
“Over the years, NDDC has organized projects and programmes aimed at boosting agriculture and improving the local economy of the rural people of the region,” Amorue stated, adding that such programmes included training and capacity building for youths and women, as well as the NDDC/Bank of Agriculture collaboration on credit/grant schemes for trained youths and women in the region.
He also named empowerment in fishing gears, agricultural mechanization, the buying of rice mills, the FGN/NDDC/ IFAD livelihood improvement family enterprise life, and aquaculture training as some of the efforts initiated by the Commission to boost the agricultural sector of the Niger Delta region.
