A week-long training for fish farmers has commenced under the auspices of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) and partners through the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project.
The comprehensive aquaculture training program targeting fish farmers across four key counties including Margibi, Bong, Lofa, and Nimba, got underway Monday, in Kakata City, Margibi County, with 50 fish farmers participating in the six days intensive training exercises.
During the official opening session Monday, the Chief of Office Staff to the offices of NaFAA’s Acting Director-General, J. Cyrus Saygbe, Ezekiel Allen, emphasized Liberian government’s dedication to creating an enabling environment for fish production, indicating that the Government of Liberia will continue to invest in capacity building for rural fish farmers.
He disclosed Acting Director-General Sengbe is highly interested in scaling up and improving aquaculture and inland fisheries as major alternatives for livelihood and nutrition in rural Liberia.
The training combines classroom-based instruction and hands-on practical sessions, focusing on enhancing aquaculture productivity and sustainability, according to our correspondent in Kakata City.
NaFAA authroties have disclosed that also in this year, similar training opportunities will be afforded fish farmers, with 200 participants being drawn from Bong County; 125 others Lofa County; and another 125 participants coming from Nimba County, to sum up the total number of fish farmers targeted to be trained under this initiative to 500.
The training program is designed to address knowledge gaps and introduce modern aquaculture technologies and management practices, according to NaFAA authorities.
Participants will gain skills in fish biology, pond construction and maintenance, feed production, water quality monitoring, record-keeping, and sustainable aquaculture techniques.
The training in Kakata City and other counties include three days of classroom-based instruction with visual presentations and three days of hands-on learning at selected private fish farms.
For his part, NaFAA’s Director for Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries, Zizi Kpadeh, asserted that “This initiative marks a new dawn for aquaculture development in Liberia,” urging all fish farmers to make the most of the ongoing training opportunity to improve their practices and increase their productivity.
Augustine F. Moore, Senior Technician of the County Cooperative Society represented local fish farmers in Margibi, expressing appreciation for the training, while pledging the Cooperative’s support in advancing aquaculture.
