The Zamfara state government says it is working to revive its moribund fisheries department in a bid to boost food production in the state.

Bashir Abashiya, Public Relations Officer of the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, announced this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Gusau.

“Plans are underway by the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to revive the activities of the fisheries department, to complement the state government’s efforts at food production and employment generation for the state’s youths,” said Mr. Bashir.

“Fishing is an important economic activity which provides food from the rivers and ponds, thereby creating employment for fishermen, fish farmers and also for those who operate in the entire agro value chain,” he added.

The state commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibo Magayaki, inspected the hatcheries and fish ponds located at the Ministry of Agriculture premises in Samaru. The commissioner explained that part of his plans in the Ministry is to improve the livelihoods of the farmers, especially women in agriculture and the youths in Zamfara state.

According to him, the state government’s intervention in fisheries would boost food production in the state, especially given the fact that Zamfara had what it takes to be self-reliant in food production.

The commissioner pledged to ensure the rehabilitation of the existing ponds and construction of additional fish farms to cater for state’s growing needs.

He commended the efforts of the fisheries department by managing the facilities, in spite of the limited financing and infrastructure.

The Director, Fisheries Department, Alhaji Aliyu Umar Kaura, explained that the facilities, constructed in 2008, were currently under utilised. Vanguard