Expert Calls for Greater Government Support to Boost Fish Production

A Professor of Fish Post-Harvest Quality and Utilisation, John Daramola, has urged the Federal Government to take stronger measures to address the challenges affecting fish production and improve food security in Nigeria.

Daramola, of the Department of Agriculture, College of Food, Agricultural Science and Technology, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State, made the appeal while delivering the university's 10th inaugural lecture.

The lecture, titled *"From Water to Table: Securing Safe and Wholesome Fish for Public Health,"* highlighted the need to strengthen Nigeria's fisheries and aquaculture sector to meet increasing food demand.

The professor identified delayed funding for fisheries projects and research, poor data for planning, and the high cost and limited availability of fishing inputs as major challenges facing the sector.

He also listed inadequate fish feed production, limited access to loans for fish farmers, low patronage of locally produced fish, overreliance on artisanal fishing, and weak extension services as factors slowing aquaculture development.

According to him, small-scale fisheries provide more than 60 per cent of domestic fish supply in sub-Saharan Africa and remain an important source of income and nutrition for millions of households.

Daramola also expressed concern over the high level of post-harvest fish losses in developing countries, stressing the need for improved preservation and processing methods to reduce waste and ensure food safety.

He called on the Federal Government to provide an enabling environment for fish farmers, saying better planning, stronger policy support and increased investment would help reduce fish imports, expand local aquaculture and strengthen the country's food security.

The professor also advocated improved post-harvest management and greater value addition to fish products to increase returns for fish farmers and other stakeholders in the industry.