Taraba State Could Earn N1bn Annually from Fisheries

The Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Nigeria indicated that Taraba State has the potential to generate at least N1 billion annually from fisheries and aquaculture with proper investment from the state government. Acting national president Marsha Gabriel Saini commended Governor Agbu Kefas for acknowledging the economic potential of the fisheries sector.

Saini noted that Nigeria's annual fish demand is approximately 3.6 million tonnes, while domestic production is around 1.6 million tonnes, resulting in a supply gap of about two million tonnes. He emphasized that Taraba's rivers, lakes, dams, and wetlands could significantly help bridge this gap.

Saini identified challenges such as inadequate fingerlings, limited access to finance, poor processing infrastructure, and high fish feed costs. He called for a comprehensive fisheries and aquaculture development program to begin in 2027, which should include a fisheries master plan, databases of operators, and improved access to finance, especially for women and youth.