Lagos empowers 190 youths and women in fish cage culture system

In a bid to further empower youths and women, the Lagos state government is training 190 youths and women in Afowo community, Badagry, in the fish cage culture system.

This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, stating that each of the cages would be stocked with 1,000 juveniles of both tilapia and catfish, adding the beneficiaries would be given 20 bags of fish feeds, medication, and monthly stipend of N15,000 for four months.

Thanking state Governor Sanwo-Olu, the commissioner noted that  the idea of the state governor is to drive youth empowerment to levels such that in different Communities, the youths there are fully empowered to begin to make positive changes and make impacts in and around where they live.

She disclosed that the station formerly had 60 cages before, but currently it now has 190 in total, adding that the majority of the 130 new beneficiaries are youths.

According to her,  We had 60 cages here before. Now you have 190 in total. The majority of the 130 new beneficiaries are the youths. We did not want political interference of any sort, so we allowed the youths in the area to help us in selecting the beneficiaries for this project.

Olusanya disclosed that the fish would be organic to a large extent since they are reared in their natural habitat, which usually makes them tastier, envisaging that it will aid quick offtake from buyers once they are ready for harvest.

Furthermore, the Permanent Secretary, Ministery of Agriculture, Hakeem Adeniji congratulated the beneficiaries and the community for having such a revolutionary project in their domain, adding that it was already generating interest from private sector investors.

He urged the beneficiaries to remain passionate about the fish cage culture and strive to produce massive-size fish for harvest by ensuring appropriate feeding, monitoring and seeking help when necessary.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, David Aladeotan thanked the state government and all those who are involved in the development, assuring that each of the beneficiaries would fully maximise the opportunity provided to help them build a business.