₦airaland Forum

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun says his administration has invested over 2 points 25 Billion naira with the support from relevant partners to promote aquaculture, towards ensuring food security, job creation, and sustainable livelihood.

Governor Abiodun who made this known during the official flag off of Fish Harvest at Ijako-Ota in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the State, noted that his administration was reducing undue dependence on imports and positioning the State as a leader in inland aquaculture.


Represented by his Deputy Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the governor said the event was about celebrating real cultivation and people-focused progress in the state, appreciating the World Bank and the OGSTEP team for their continued support as well as commitment towards improving the livelihood of its citizenry.


Describing agriculture as a serious economic enterprise, Governor Abiodun reaffirmed his administration's commitment to scaling the cluster model across the State, continue to provide access to finance, inputs, infrastructure, markets, and technology, all in bid to make Ogun State the preferred destination for agribusiness in Nigeria.


Earlier, the commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon Bolu Owotomo said the OGSTEP aquaculture value chain initiative has significantly impacted fish farming across the four Zones , aggregating approximately 3,400 beneficiary farmers statewide with government supplying over 179,000 bags of fish feed to fish farmers in the past 18 months.


 Hon Owootomo explained that the Trusted Fish Cluster in Ijako Isorosi with about 700 beneficiary farmers managing 983 ponds have received approximately 27,000 bags of feed, averaging 72 bags per farmer ,while 30 per cent matching grant support on fish feed averaging #864,000 per farmer with total intervention cost in the cluster estimated at 340 ,million naira, adding that the expected harvest from these beneficiaries was around 700 tonnes , projected to generate 1 points 9 billion in sales revenue.


Responding, the Project Coordinator OGSTEP, Mrs. Mosun Owo-Odusi said noted that the flag-off of the fish harvest was not just celebration of hard work but a testimony to what could be achieved when the right structures are  in place describing the successes recorded as largely due to the unwavering support received from the Ogun State Government and other stakeholders.