As efforts to harness the fisheries potential of the nation to meet the available demand intensify, the joint International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Federal Government and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) during the 17th Supervision Mission to Edo state has commended the achievements made by fish farmers in Avbiebo, Edo state as laudable.

The Mission Leader, Rab Nawaz, who gave the commendation when the team inspected about 50 fish cluster ponds in Avbiebo, expressed his delight at the way the agricultural potentials of the community were being harnessed by the farmers.

“I am optimistic that after the closure of the programme in September, the farmers will be able to sustain the project,” he said.

According to Nawaz who urged the farmers to sustain the project, saying the intervention was to improve the lives of the poor in rural areas, Nigeria is the only country in the world with 80 percent cultivable land.

Thanking the team for the opportunity offered the community through the IFAD intervention, Mr. Testman Igbinovia, the spokesman for the fish farmers, stated that it had provided a platform for employment and income generation in Avbiebo, Uhunwode Local Government Area of Edo.

“This project has attracted various interest groups and investors to the community. Students of various institutions of learning and some military men from Jaji visited the pond site,” he said.

The National Coordinator of IFAD, Mrs. Irene Jumbo-Ibeakuzie, who also commended the fish farmers, particularly women and youths, urged them to sustain the programme which is running in nine local government areas of Edo state, which include Esan North East, Uhunmwode, Orihionmwon, Igueben, Esan South East, Esan West, Akoko- Edo, Owan West and Etsako Central.

The programme according to NAN who reported the event, the programme is being implemented in the nine Niger Delta states of Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ondo and Rivers.

Culled from AgroNigeria