The Bioresources Institute of Nigeria, BION, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, with the Senator Frank Ibezim Agricultural Foundation for the training of youths in all the local governments of the Imo North Senatorial District on aquaculture at the Federal Government-owned Umuna Fish Farm and Technology Transfer Centre.
Speaking at the signing of the MOU, Senator Ibezim expressed excitement that the aquaculture centre would be restored after many years of inactivity, with the resumption of large-scale commercial activities in the area in line with the aspirations of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The Senator, who is a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, committed to supporting the provision of solar lighting to create an enabling environment for sustainable operations of the farm and training centre.
Responding, the BION Project Manager, Mr. Samuel Iwu, remarked that the MOU marked the start of training and empowerment initiatives in partnership with the host community to enable skills acquisition across the aquaculture value chain.
BION operates an agro- processing facility in Umuna Okigwe, with state-of-the-art GMP manufacturing equipment for the production of a range of teas, oils, hair and body products.
The facility would host the classroom phase of the aquaculture course with the practical aspects delivered at the restored fish farm.
The first batch of 80 trainees is expected to commence classes on June 1, 2023.
Courses include: Pond types, benefits of each and decision analysis; Fish breed selection;
Stocking management and techniques; Fish feed types, grades and feeding systems; Water sources and quality management; Predators and pests control; Sorting and grading; Cropping and harvesting
Fish preservation; Processing and packaging; Storage and marketing; Processing, smoking and cooling; Gutting, washing and drying; Management of smoking kilns and chambers.
The three-month course is targeted at youths, who have keen interest in fish farming and entrepreneurship.
Imo North residents have not ceased to speak glowingly of Ibezim, who has not relented in his empowerment programme for his constituents despite having a few weeks to stay in the Senate.
