Youth advised to access aquaculture fund
Mr Philip Attakpah, National Coordinator of Agribusiness Opportunities for the Youth through Agriculture Systems and Cassava Value Chains in West Africa, has advised the youth to take advantage of a fund to support fish farming.
He said the revolving fund known as Africa Solidarity Trust Fund created by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the UN would support interested applicants to construct standard fish ponds, supplied with fish feed and fingerlings, therefore beneficiaries would contribute 20 per cent of the profit to the fund in order to support others.
He said the fund was established purposely to support the youth interested in aquaculture business and disclosed that Western, Central, Volta and Greater regions have been selected to benefit from the fund.
Mr Attakpah made this known at a stakeholders meeting in Sekondi when the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Madam Sherry Ayittey paid a working visit to the Western Region.
The Project Coordinator said 250 youth would benefit at the initial stage therefore beneficiaries would be trained on how to manage their businesses profitably.
He said a fingerling hatchery facility would be established in Western and Central regions to supply beneficiaries and interested entrepreneurs with fingerlings.
Madam Ayittey said aquaculture is a lucrative business in line with the fisheries policy to accelerate development and urged the youth to take advantage of the project since it would reduce youth unemployment.
She said there are improved fish feed and quality fingerlings available at affordable prices for them.
The Minister said the government has designed a policy to prevent post-harvest losses, therefore, it has constructed cold stores at strategic locations and more of such preserving facilities would be constructed so that fish farmers would maximise profit from the business.
“Government considers the fisheries sector as one of its top priorities aimed at advancing the socio-economic development of the country and eradicates poverty as well as serve as a source of avenue to earn foreign exchange for the country”, she said.
Mr Yaw Sabah, the Regional Director of the Fisheries Commission, said Sefwi-Debiso in the Bia West District has been selected for the project in the Region.
Source: GNA