The Lagos State Government, under the Agro-Productivity, Processing, Enhancement, and Livelihood Support (APPEALS) project, has gifted a state-of-the-art blast freezer to the Lagos State Catfish Association of Nigeria (LASCAFAN), Ikorodu Chapter.
During the official unveiling of this project and the introduction of frozen catfish in Ikorodu, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, the Commissioner for Agriculture, emphasized that the initiative aims to enhance the value of catfish products. She highlighted that the introduction of frozen catfish is a strategic move to free fish farmers from the constraints imposed by fish traders who often dictate prices without considering production costs.
This blast freezer, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), is specially designed for rapid freezing of various food items, including meat, fish, chicken, and operates at temperatures ranging from 24 to 40°C. It has a half-ton capacity per cycle, with an eight-hour cooling time, allowing it to process one ton of fish daily. Notably, the frozen catfish is free from additives and preservatives, ensuring a fresh and natural product.
Commissioner Olusanya pointed out that Lagos State, with a population of around 25 million people, requires 425,009 tonnes of fish annually to meet the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 17kg of fish protein intake per person per year. However, the current fish production stands at approximately 198,706 tons per year. This shortfall emphasizes the need to support the fish farming industry.
Fish is a valuable source of protein with low cholesterol levels, making it a healthy dietary choice for people of all ages. Fish farming provides a flexible means of livelihood, appealing to both younger and older individuals due to the convenience, rapid growth, and acceptance of artificial feed associated with catfish farming.
The introduction of frozen catfish addresses the long-standing challenge faced by fish farmers in setting fair prices for their products. It enables them to determine appropriate prices based on production costs and, in turn, encourages increased production.
Chief Abiodun Ogunleye, a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, believes that projects like this one will reduce the country’s reliance on imported goods, stabilize prices, enhance value, and create opportunities for export. It also serves to address post-harvest losses, representing a significant step in the right direction.
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This project aligns with the goal of promoting local production and consumption, reducing foreign exchange expenditure, and boosting the aquaculture value chain’s revenue potential for Nigeria.
Mrs. Omolara Oguntuyi, the Lagos State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, expressed the ministry’s commitment to supporting the association. She encouraged the farmers to maintain the equipment and pass on their knowledge to the next generation.
Mr. Deola Banjo, Chairman of the Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area, emphasized the transformative impact of the blast freezer on agricultural produce storage in the region. He expects this initiative to result in increased productivity and profitability for local farmers.
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