Kwara State has joined the FISH4ACP Cluster Upgrading Programme, a national initiative implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to build the capacity of fish farmers and strengthen value chains across Nigeria’s aqua industry.

Declaring the training open in Ilorin, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Afees Abolore Alabi, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Funke Sokoya, said the initiative has shown the State’s commitment to maintaining its leadership role in Nigeria’s aquaculture landscape. 

He noted that the exercise aligns with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s vision of promoting food security and economic diversification through farmer education and sustainable practices.

Dr Alabi commended the Governor for his continuous support of the agricultural sector, emphasising that the enabling environment created under his leadership has allowed Kwara to benefit from national and international agricultural interventions.

The training began on Tuesday at the Ajegunle Cluster in Ilorin, and fish farmers from across the state attended the first session of a year-long capacity-building programme. 

Participants will receive practical training in Best Management Practices (BMP), recordkeeping, feeding, medication, pond management, and marketing.

Recognised as one of Nigeria’s largest catfish markets, Kwara continues to lead commercial fish production, with hundreds of farms supplying live and processed catfish to neighbouring states. 

The FISH4ACP initiative offers farmers a strategic opportunity to improve technical competence, boost productivity, and add value to their production processes.

According to the Commissioner, the programme goes beyond skills development; it contributes to job creation, improved nutrition, and expanded income opportunities for rural households. 

He explained that the 12-month exercise will help farmers operate business-oriented fish farms that can scale up and compete in national markets.

He added that initiatives like this align with the Ministry’s vision to position aquaculture as a viable agribusiness sector in Kwara, capable of driving food security and economic transformation.

Through continued participation in international collaborations like FISH4ACP, the Kwara State Government reaffirms its commitment to sustainable aquaculture growth, farmer empowerment, and an inclusive agricultural economy. 

Source: Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture