By Rabiu Omaku, Lafia
National Professional Officer Fishery and Aquaculture Value Chain Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations, Dr. Abubakar Usman said the choice of Nasarawa State among the three pilot States is due to commitment of the State Government in the fishing economy.
He gave the hint during a two day training workshop,lectures ,questions and answer session held at the Lafia neighborhood market, during an interaction with newsmen, Abubakar Usman opined that the new method of fish smoke kit was meant to ensure healthier fish for the teeming consumers.
The Fishery Officer of Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO Mohammed Megahed said the old method using firewood is hazardous to those in the business and consumers aside environmental hazard such as deforestation and climate change among other disadvantages.
The Food and Agricultural Organization has taken a drastic measure to ensure quality, hygienic and sustainable means of fish preservation which is environmental friendly, the Fishery Officer of FAO, Mohamed Magahed revealed this.
He gave the hint during an interaction with newsmen at the Lafia neighborhood market last week. Magahed buttresed that the new method was meant to addressing the menace of environmental destruction caused as a result of the frequent cutting down of trees.
According to FAO Fishery Officer,the adoption of the new improved method of fish preservation was meant to addressing the rising waves of deforestation leading to harsh environment.
Starting further that the new method of fish preservation provides an avenue that will mitigate the current harsh environment as well proffer solution to human health.
He however opined that the new method of fish preservation was more efficient to support food safety, he told Journalists that the locally fabricated smoking Kit can preserve 100kg of catfish at a go, ye in addition affirmed that the new method will be extended to the nations capital, Maiduguri in no distance time.
The Director Nigeria Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NiOMR) Dr. Olaitan Olajuyigbe advised those in the fishing business to embrace the new technology to ease the risk associated with the old method of smoking fish.
Nasarawa State has adopted the new improved method of fish smoking processing and preservation to mitigate the risk of encountering avoidable human diseases traceable to contamination of fish to enhance hygienic consumption of the fish and for commercial purposes.
The recent event also include the unveiling of the fish smoking kit that uses charcoal and cooking gas donated to the Nasarawa State Chapter of the Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria Limited aimed at broadening their businesses.
In a lecture series the Deputy Director Nigeria Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research Dr. Mutiat Salaudden attributed some of the diseases caused by the effects of the old method of fish smoking process to include cancer and diabetes.
Advising those in the business to shun the practice of smoking bad fish for preservation adding that it is detrimental to human health especially the nutritional needs of children.
Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Nasarawa State Ministry of Agriculture Mr Judah Attah represented by the Fishery Officer in the Department,Mbebu Yamu Ibrahim appreciated the United Nations through the Food and Agriculture Organization for supporting the State with the new technology to assist those in fishing business to preserve fish in a hygienic manner devoid of contamination to promote the health of their consumers.
Nasarawa State Chairman of the Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria Limited ,Bashir Umar who was overwhelmed with the support to the organization expressed confidence that they would take advantage of the gesture to adapt to the new technology in the fish smoking process and preservation to enhance the health conditions of consumers locally and beyond.
Some beneficiaries of the project Mrs Abizu Attah and Zainab Jibirin applauded the organization for the intervention and the lecture that have enriched their knowledge of fish smoking, advocated for soft loan to boost their fishing business.
The unveiling of the fish smoking kit at the neighborhood market in Lafia metropolis has in attendance those in the business from within and outside the State including students of Fisheries Department Federal University of Lafia.
Highlights of the event include assessment of the fishing kit, lectures and practical demonstration of how the kit works and it’s maintenance by Mr Femi Olusola, and questions and answers sessions.
The Food and Agricultural Organization has taken a drastic measure to ensure quality, hygienic and sustainable means of fish preservation which is environmental friendly, the Fishery Officer of FAO, Mohamed Magahed revealed this.
He gave the hint during an interaction with newsmen at the Lafia neighborhood market last week. Magahed buttresed that the new method was meant too addressing the menace of environmental destruction caused as a result of the frequent cutting down of trees.
According to FAO Fishery Officer,the adoption of the new improved method of fish preservation was meant to addressing the rising waves of deforestation leading to harsh environment.
The representative of Nigerian Institute for Oceaemnogaphy and Marine Research, Niom,Dr.Olaiitan Olajuyigbe in her presentation said the exercise would be extended to more States of the Federation.
Dr. Olajuyigbe further buttresed that the removal of eggs and intestine of fresh fish before preservation gives dry fish a long time.
“She however explained that fish dried under the new method is more healthier than the one smoke with firewood”.
Dr.Mutiat Salaudeen , the Assistant Director of NIOMR explained that consumers of the old practice of fish preservation are vulnerable to cancer and diabetics.
Adding that unhealthy food causes the harmful ailments that is life threatening, as she called on fish processors to shun the preservation of bad fish.
Dr.Salaudeen appealed to fish dealers to maximize their profit by adopting “Zero wast in fish processing, saying the egg of fish which mostly were thrown away are dried and serves as supplement to replenish children’s diet.
The State Chairman of Fishery Co’operative Federation of Nigeria Limited, Honorable Bashir Mohammed Umar in his remarks lauded the effort of the organization to bring an improved equipment that is environmental friendly to fish processors in the State.
Bashir Umar said the improved smoking Kit that would dried 200kg of fish would go a long way in addressing the harmful and old practice of using firewood to preserve fish.
The State Director Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Judas Attah lauded the supporting organization, the Food and Agricultural Organization for their gigantic effort.
Fishery Officer ministry of Agriculture who represented the State Director, Ibrahim Mbebu Yamu appreciate Food and Agricultural Organization for the kind gesture.