A Nigeria company, Sejfarms Consult Badagry, Lagos, has signed a three-year partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with American Soybean Association’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) to strengthen collaboration on advance Nigeria’s fish production.
The MoU was signed during the graduation ceremony of 10 young professionals in aquaculture innovation under the Training Programme for Young Professionals (TPYP) in Sejfarms in Badagry.
The 20-week training, hosted at farm exposed participants from Nigeria and Ghana to practical sessions in aquaculture value-chain development, including hatchery management, feed production, water quality control, and fish processing.
Speaking shortly after the signing, Mr Sejiro Oke-Tojinu, the Chief Executive Officer, Sejfarms said the MoU recognised the significant role that high-quality soy-based feeds play in achieving regional aquaculture sector growth and success.
According to him, Nigeria is the largest aquaculture fish producer in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 52 per cent of the total farmed fish production in the region, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
“Yet, Nigeria has a 2 million metric tone (2.2 U.S. tons) deficit, needing 3.2 million metric tonnes (3.5 U.S. tons) of fish annually while current production stands at 1.2 million tonnes (1.3 million U.S. tons).
“Fish feed is considered a bottleneck to future growth of Nigerian aquaculture.
“This MOU demonstrates that we are strengthening our commitment to encourage the growth of Nigerian aquaculture with WISHH.
“Together, we are creating new opportunities for young people to be trained in aquaculture, including high-quality feeds” he said.
On the training programme, he said
the training had been fulfilling, impactful, innovative and had given assurance that there is a secured future in the fish farming industry and food security.
“We did a whole now in the agriculture value chain from seed production, processing, feed production water mass all that type of things and also crop production.
“We also have about 15 crops we grow here we just want to ensure the next generation fall in love and like the area and aspect of agriculture,” he said.
Gera Perry, the Executive Director, WISHH said their relationship with Selfarms is an example of the win-win partnership that United Soybean Board (USB) has invested in WISHH’s work with young aguaculturists because it lays the foundation for increased U.S. soybean meal demand.
She said the fish farm are the host site for WISHH’s United Soybean Board-supported training program for young professionals in aquaculture.
Perry said that American Soybean Association represents U.S. soybean farmers on domestic a International policy issues important to the soybean industry.
According to her, ASA has 26 affiliated state associations representing 30 soybean-producing states and nearly 500,000 soybean farmers
Dr Hussein Gadain, Food and Agriculture Organisation of United Nations (FOA) said aquaculture is the fastest growing food production sector now supplying over 50 per cent of the fish consumed worldwide.
According to him, this growth trajectory is expected to continue offering immense opportunities for nutrition, livelihood and economic development.
Addressing the graduating students, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanyi said the world is facing unprecedented challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and environmental degradation.
Olusanyi who was represented by Mrs Bukola Sogbesan, the Senior Fisheries official, in Agriculture ministry said aquaculture, as a vital component of global food systems, plays a crucial role in addressing these issues.
“Your generation is uniquely positioned to drive innovation and shape the future of aquaculture.
“With your fresh perspectives, creativity, and technological savvy, you can develop sustainable practices that minimize environmental impact.
“You can foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing across industries and promote inclusivity and diversity in aquaculture,” she said.
Miss Bela Otolumere, one of the graduating students from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, said the training gave her rare exposure to experts and facilities in the industry.
“It has been factual, knowledgeable, and highly impactful. My advice to other youths is never to give up on their dreams,” she said.
Another graduating student from Ghana, Miss Abigail Amankwah described her Nigerian experience as amazing and innovative.
She urged young Africans to embrace opportunities across borders, adding that coming into a new environment requires courage, but the knowledge gained here has been worth it.
