Government to provide subsidy for acqua-culture – Farmer appeals

Mr Benjamin Ofori, the Farm Manager of Bridge Waters Farm at Suhum in the Eastern Region, has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to subsidise the cost of feed for fish farmers.

He said that would reduce the cost of feeding the fish and help the farmers to produce in large quantities to meet the fish requirements of the country and create employment for the youth.

Mr Ofori made the appeal in an interview with Ghana News Agency (GNA) when the Eastern Regional Secretariat of the Fisheries Commission visited his farm to buy his matured catfish as a means of providing market for his stock.

The Commission had been buying fish from the acqua-culture farmers in the Region, process and grill them for sale to workers and restaurants in the New Juaben North and South municipalities.

Mr Ofori said the major challenge facing fish farming was the high cost of feed and fingerlings and called for government’s intervention.

Dr R. K. T. Larbi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Farm, said the absence of subsidy for the acqua-culture sector was not making the business attractive.

He said with the right interventions from government and other individuals, the sector could create more jobs for people.

Dr Larbi expressed his desire to develop his farm to attract tourists, which could create additional employment and income.

He expressed his intention to introduce poultry farming, piggery and a guest house to the business.

Currently, the farm employs three permanent and two casual workers.

Source: Ghananewsagency