APA Abuja (Nigeria) The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has provided Nigeria with US$443,000 on the platform of its Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) to develop fish and aquaculture, FAO Country Director Rabe Mani said on Thursday in Abuja.
Mani said the FAO in partnership with the federal government would implement the project for two years with Nigeria’s counterpart fund of US$100,000.
The project, he said, was aimed at developing a viable and sustainable aquaculture as a programme for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) farmers for diversification of livelihoods in rural areas, improved nutritional status and increased income-generating capacity.
Rabe added that the project would also provide additional off-season activities through enhanced land and water resources utilization.
“The project will assist the implementation of the country’s strategic framework for sustainable aquaculture development, and within the context of this framework, assist in establishing sustainable and profitable demonstrations of farmer-led aquaculture,’’ he said.
“It will also strengthen the capacity of farmers, extension agents and other stakeholders to support the development of the sub-sector,’’ Rabe added.
