Solidaridad’s Aquaculture Project Receives Applause for Enhancing Fish Production in Nigeria

Solidaridad’s Aquaculture Project Receives Applause for Enhancing Fish Production in Nigeria

(IN BRIEF) The Aquaculture Development Project Nigeria (ADPN) received recognition during an official working visit by Solidaridad Network’s Executive Director and Solidaridad West Africa’s Regional Director. The project aims to enhance fish production and develop a sustainable aquaculture sector in Nigeria. The visit included tours of project sites, discussions with partners, and engagements with stakeholders. The project focuses on capacity building, vocational skills enhancement, agri-business promotion, and technology introduction. Collaboration, poverty reduction, and climate resilience are key objectives. The project’s Danish commercial partner, Aller Aqua Nigeria, praised Solidaridad for effective collaboration. Solidaridad assured stakeholders of their commitment to project success based on their extensive experience. The project receives funding from Danida Market Development Partnerships.

(PRESS RELEASE) UTRECHT, 15-May-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Solidaridad, an international civil society organization active in over 40 countries with 8 regional offices on 5 continents, announces that the Aquaculture Development Project Nigeria (ADPN) garnered praise and recognition during a two-day official working visit by Jeroen Douglas, Executive Director of Solidaridad Network, and Isaac Gyamfi, Regional Director of Solidaridad West Africa. The project, initiated last year, aims to boost fish production and foster a sustainable aquaculture sector in Nigeria.

During the visit, the Solidaridad team, accompanied by project partners, toured the Eriwe fish farm village and the Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology (SACOETEC) in Ogun State, Nigeria. Additionally, courtesy calls were made to the Ijebu Development Initiatives on Poverty Reduction (IDIPR), Aller Aqua Nigeria, and the Consulate General of Denmark.

The project partners collaborated to align their efforts with the Danish business strategy, which focuses on poverty and inequality reduction, conflict prevention, climate resilience, and curbing irregular migration. The ADPN project encompasses capacity building for smallholder fish farmers in climate-smart practices, vocational skills enhancement for aquaculture students, promotion of agri-business in beneficiary communities, and introduction of new technologies to fish farmers and other stakeholders.

At SACOETEC, where aquaculture has been integrated into the school’s curriculum, the team met with the college’s provost and staff. Jeroen Douglas praised the college’s efforts in developing entrepreneurial skills among students in aquaculture.

Dr. Adeola Lukmon, the provost of SACOETEC, expressed the positive impact of the initiative, not only on the students but also on the surrounding communities, transforming them into fish production hubs in Nigeria.

Engagements with the leaders of the Ijebu-Ode Development Initiatives on Poverty Reduction (IDIPR) and project participants at the Eriwe fish farm village provided valuable insights into the project’s impact, challenges, and areas for further support to improve the livelihoods of smallholder fish farmers. The Eriwe fish farm village comprises 4,000 earthen fish ponds and involves 1,300 farmers.

Lasisi Nurudeen Abiodun, the Managing Director of Aller Aqua Nigeria, the Danish commercial partner of the project, lauded Solidaridad for fostering effective collaboration among the Aquaculture Development Project Nigeria partners.

Isaac Gyamfi, Regional Director for Solidaridad West Africa, assured stakeholders that Solidaridad’s extensive experience of over five decades in sustainable value chains would ensure the success of the Aquaculture Development Project Nigeria.

The Aquaculture Development Project Nigeria is implemented in collaboration with Aller Aqua, Aquamind, OxyGuard International, Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology (SACOETEC), and the Ijebu Development Initiatives on Poverty Reduction (IDIPR). Funding is provided by Danida Market Development Partnerships.

“We have known Solidaridad for its commitment to project delivery. We are confident that the ADPN will not be an exception. I believe Solidaridad will ensure its success for the benefit of the smallholder fish farmers in the country. We are committed to supporting Solidaridad to achieve the desired results,” Per Christensen, Consul General at the Consulate General of Denmark.

“I am happy with the strong focus on the vocational training of the students, who are the leaders of tomorrow. Solidaridad’s partnership with the college is a significant step in the right direction towards building a sustainable food production system for a secured future,” said Jeroen Douglas, Executive Director of Solidaridad Network.

“We appreciate the importance of the intervention to our students and the school community as a whole. Our aim is to equip students with the right skills to become self-employed entrepreneurs after graduating,” Dr Adeola Lukmon, the provost of SACOETEC.

“With the support these farmers have received so far under the project, this fish farm village has the potential to contribute significantly to a reduction in fish imports, which costs the country 50 billion naira annually,” Douglas said.

“The project has chalked up some successes, but more needs to be achieved. Aller Aqua will work closely with Solidaridad to ensure a much more strategic level re-alignment to inform the achievement of yet-to-be-met deliverables,” said Lasisi Nurudeen Abiodun, the Managing Director of Aller Aqua Nigeria.

“The engagement did not only strengthen partnerships but also spurred the partners to further commit to work together to ensure smallholder fish farmers produce in balance with nature, and increase their income, while promoting inclusivity in the sector,” remarked Isaac Gyamfi, Regional Director of Solidaridad West Africa.

Read more on the ADPN here. 

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SOURCE: Solidaridad Network