Ibadan: A Japanese agency in Nigeria, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has trained some farmers in Aquaponics, a technology that combines fish and vegetable production in a single system. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training, held on Monday, at the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), had farmers from Oyo and Lagos States as participants.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, JICA Senior Programme Officer, Dr. Umar Halilu, stated that the training was aimed at enhancing food security, farmers’ income, and quality of life. The environmentally friendly technology is beneficial in reducing water wastage and saving costs. “The system purifies itself and the clean water returns from the plant to the fish; so, water is not wasted. Another advantage is that the process ensures a clean environment,” he explained.
The officer elaborated that the training, organized in partnership with Kakehashi Africa Nigeria Initiative (KANI), was its third edition following earlier ones in Benue and Abuja. Dr. Boluwatife Sarumoh, president of KANI, commended the initiative and encouraged participants to adopt the technology.
In her remarks, the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food System, Mrs. Abisola Olusanya, lauded JICA for the training. Represented by the ministry’s Deputy Director, Mr. Akeem Olajobi, Olusanya noted that “it will encourage inter-state and international collaboration. The training will also contribute to the overall development of agriculture in Nigeria, as well as build youth capacity in technology and the sharing of new ideas.”
Dr. Debo Akande, the Director-General of OYSADA, praised JICA for the training, expressing confidence that it would improve farmers’ knowledge of the technology and, consequently, their livelihood. NAN reports that the participants were trained in aquaponics design, installation, operations, and maintenance.