Fish farmers in Lagos, united under the Lagos State Catfish and Allied Association of Nigeria (LASCAFAN), have received a significant boost from the state government’s Agro-Productivity, Processing, Enhancement, and Livelihood Support (APPEALS) project, a World Bank-funded initiative. The project involves the provision of a blast freezer to aid in the preservation of catfish, addressing post-harvest losses and empowering fish farmers against the challenges posed by fish mongers.
The blast freezer, launched in the Ikorodu division, is part of a broader effort to combat yearly post-harvest losses in the catfish subsector. The LASCAFAN Ikorodu blast freezer centre aims to introduce frozen catfish products, offering an alternative to the prevailing practice where fish mongers dictate prices without considering production costs.
Commissioning the blast freezer centre, Abisola Olusanya, the Commissioner for Agriculture, emphasized the project’s focus on promoting value addition. By incorporating frozen catfish into the market, the initiative seeks to liberate fish farmers from the undue influence of fish mongers and stabilize prices based on production costs.
The blast freezer centre utilizes plastic waste collection, recycling, and repurposing efforts in collaboration with Keep Sea Blue, aligning with sustainability goals. The use of recycled coastal plastic contributes to environmental conservation while addressing the critical issue of post-harvest losses.
The launch ceremony included the introduction of frozen catfish products, marking a milestone in the efforts to revolutionize the catfish farming industry in Lagos. The initiative is expected to prevent further exploitation of fish farmers, ensuring a fair pricing mechanism and reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste.
The LASCAFAN President, Sejiro Michael-Oketojinu, highlighted the transformative potential of the project, predicting positive outcomes for market dynamics, production viability, and employment opportunities within the aquaculture sector. The use of the blast freezer not only curtails post-harvest losses but also introduces a more controlled and sustainable approach to fish marketing.
The frozen catfish products are positioned as an affordable and locally produced alternative, fostering a shift towards supporting indigenous species and promoting research in the cultivation of local fish varieties. The initiative signifies a collaborative effort between government, farmers, and non-profit organizations to create a more resilient and sustainable fish farming ecosystem in Lagos.
