The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) has launched its fingerling to fork project in Imo state to empower and build the capacity of fish farmers to enable them improve on their productivity and also ensure that smallholder farmers transit from subsistence to commercial farming.
The Project Manager, BATNF, Dare Odusanya, while speaking on the project, disclosed that the project started in Lagos State and has been running for the past four years, followed by Bayelsa State in 2020 and now in Imo State.
BATNF was established as an independent charity by British American Tobacco Nigeria in November 2002, with a start-up grant of $1million, to promote sustainable agriculture and rural development in Nigeria.
NALDA Ready To Commission Farm Estates In Abia, Imo
The Foundation enhances the livelihood of smallholder farmers to make the transition from subsistence farming to sustainable commercial agriculture through the supply of agricultural inputs, land preparation, training, mentorship and technical assistance.
Odusanya noted that the foundation established modern facility which will serve as a training centre for farmers year in year out and also provided a form of support for the farmers in terms of smoking kiln for an identified cluster based on some criteria.
NFAN laments Neglect of Fishery Industry
The Acting Program Manager, Imo Agricultural Development Project (ADP) who is also the Coordinator of the Fingerling to Fork Project, made it known that the agency bid for the program and was able to get it, adding that they were able to construct a hatchery, grow out ponds and also did needs assessment to ascertain what the farmers have been doing and to find out what their needs are.
She explained that the capacity building is for 300 fish farmers in six local government areas of the state; 50 per local governments. The local government areas according to her include; Nkwere, Njaba, Ezinihitte Mbaisea, Owerri North, Obowo and Ikeduru.
