By Stephen N. Tokpah (FREELANCER)
A local organization under the banner ‘Aquaculture and Inland Fishery Federation of Liberia” has concluded a one-day symposium with fish farmers in Gbarnga, Bong County.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the symposium, the Aquaculture & Inland Fishery Federation of Liberia president, Estelle Liberty, said the one-day symposium was intended to strengthen the Federation membership and to enhance productivity in the Fisheries sector of the Country.
She revealed that improving the fisheries sector is key to agriculture growth and sustainability in Liberia.
Madam Liberty emphasized that if Liberia as a country is to gain food security and self-sufficiency, the innovation of fish farming is very important.
The Aquaculture & Inland Fishery Federation of Liberia president further encouraged the farmers not just to make fish farms for subsistence but they should farm for commercial gains.
“Production is a matter of scale. Once you learn how to take care of a small fish pond, you can use that same idea to take care of larger fish farms. We have seen some of the work of the sustainable fish farming practices of various institution in order country. The technique they use is simple, easy, and environmentally friendly. Sometimes the fish are farmed with rice. You harvest rice at the same time you harvest fish, giving you the farmer double benefits. We encourage you to take fish farming as an opportunity,” Madam Liberty added.
Madam Liberty at the same time encouraged the fish farmers to engage farmers to get involved in fish farming by saying that the future for this endeavor of fish farming is getting brighter as the government of Liberia is prioritizing self-sufficiency through agricultural productivity.
The president of the Federation of Liberia Aquaculture and Inland Fishery underscored the urgency for Liberian farmers to embrace fish farming.
She highlighted that the potential of local fish production would reduce the country’s reliance on imported frozen fish, which poses health complications for many Liberians.
Madam Liberty admonished fish farmers to work collectively to ensure that Liberia becomes food-sufficient in fish production, urging the farmers to intensify their efforts in this vital sector.
Remarking, at the ceremony on behalf of the Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), the Director of Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries at the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Zizi Kpadeh emphasized the importance of adopting innovative fish farming techniques in post-war Liberia.
Mr. Kpadeh encouraged farmers to engage actively in fast-striking fish farming, which could significantly enhance local production and sustainability.
“We can all help the government to gain food security and at the same time create wealth for ourselves and reduce poverty in Liberia,” the Director of Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries at the National Fisheries noted.
He further pledged NaFAA commitment to working with fish farmers across the country.
“We at NaFAA will support your efforts to get involved with fish farming, because the government is eager for agriculture productivity.
This is why Agriculture is the first part of our President Joseph N. Boakai ARREST Agenda. I encourage you to continue to buttress the government effort in turning of growth and development,” Mr. Kpadeh stressed.
The Head of Livestock, Aquaculture, and Inland Fisheries at the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), Mandela Klon-Yan Hinneh assured participants of the institution’s commitment to supporting local fish farming cooperatives.
Dr. Hinneh revealed that CARI’s role is to promote President Joseph N. Boakai’s ARREST Agenda through agricultural research, something he said is aimed at fostering agricultural productivity and food security in Liberia.
The event which was held at the Gbarnga Administration Building, brought together fish farmers from Bong, Nimba, and Lofa counties.
The day-long symposium served as a platform for strengthening coordination and collaboration among stakeholders involved in aquaculture and inland fishery, focusing on sustainable interventions and enhancing productivity.
Participants of the consultative meeting expressed delight and thanked the Aquaculture and Inland Fishery Federation of Liberia for organizing said symposium.
Some of them said they are motivated to implement the strategies discussed during the symposium when it comes to fish farming in Liberia.
The local fish farmers at the same time expressed optimism about the future of aquaculture in Liberia, envisioning a robust industry that can meet the nation’s fish demands and contribute to the overall economic stability of the country.
The one-day symposium was held under the theme ‘Revitalized the Federation: Strengthening coordination and collaboration for sustainable interventions and productivity in aquaculture and inland fishery.
