Date: 2019-09-30

Cat and Allied Fish Farmers Association of Nigeria (CAFFAN) in Kwara state at the weekend accused banks in the state of unfriendly conditions of loan.

Chairman of CAFFAN, Mallam Mariam Baba said this in Offa, Offa area of the state at the inauguration of new executives of the association.

Said Mallam Baba: "Our banks are not farmers friendly with their numerous condition and high rate of interest on loans. Most especially here in Kwara state. In other states, Banks are of great assistance to farmers through Central Bank of Nigeria as we relate with our colleagues in order states.

"We therefore appeal to our banks in Kwara state to support our farmers in order to boost food production to safe the nation's economy from bondage of importation. Already our farmers have e been organized into cooperative groups throughout the three Senatorial Districts".

He also urged the Kwara state government to create an enabling environment and policy to support agriculture like several other sectors of the economy.

"Fish farming requires very robust funding. It is with States government intervention with funding and good policies and to off-taking of produce that fish farmers can break even. Most fish farmers operate with hardship without breaking evens," he added.

In a remark Executive Director, National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM) Engr Muyideen Kasali said that statistics had shown that Nigeria spent about 1.2 billion Dollars on fish importation in the last one year. Represented by Godfrey Akalonu Engr Kasali said Nigeria needs 1.2 million tones of fish annually but capable of supplying o. 8 million tones annually.

Also speaking, the state Chairman of All Farmer Association of Nigeria (AFAN) ,Mr Tajudeen Ajibola hailed the effort of major stakeholders in sustaining the Union.

He said that "CAFFAN has undergone so many marginalization, but today the association has gained it fit and the issue of maginalisation has become a thing of the past ".