The President of Ufuoma United Fish Farmers Association in Delta, Mr Fischer Ogwugwu, has appealed to the state government to create a conducive environment that will enable the association to export fish.
Ogwugwu made the appeal in Asaba on Sunday.
According to him, the association, which has more than 1,000 members, has the largest cat fish farm in West Africa.
and which is based Ekpan, Uwvie Local Government Area of the state,
He said that the major challenge facing the association was the inability to process fish for export.
He said that the farm, based in Ekpan, in Uwvie Local Government Area of the state, produced more than 10 tons of fish on a daily basis all year round.
“We need support from government, banks, willing partners, and even non-governmental organisations to enable us to break into the international market.
“We produce so much fish, but we don’t have buyers; if we can process and package the fish and export, every member of the association will be better off.
“The local market women have taken advantage of the excess supply to the extent that they determine the prices.
“So, we want to break into the international market to earn foreign exchange and expand our businesses.”
Ogwugwu stated that the fish farm has proven to be a sound investment as some micro-finance banks in the state can attest to.
The president, therefore, assured prospective investors/partners of the viability of the business and the safety of their investments.
He said that more youths would be attracted to the business if the fish value chain could be established.
NAN
