Catfish farmers urged to export produce

An Aquaculture Consultant, Mr Tajudeen Morakinyo, on Monday, advised catfish farmers to key into the international demand for the commodity, by packaging and exporting their produce.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that produce exporting would improve their income, grow their business to international recognition and also improve the nation’s agricultural sector.

The huge trade in smoked fish is a consequence of the growing demand by the increasing number of Africans living in the Diaspora.

The U.S. and Europe remain the major destinations for Africans, who venture abroad.

It is noteworthy that up to 40 percent of smoked fish exported from Africa is detained, returned or destroyed at the U.S. and European ports, due to improper packaging and labelling.

Morakinyo said that farmers needed to improve their farm practices, to tap into the available market for the export of smoked fish.

“First, the smoked and dried fish must be well-processed and preserved.

“If the fish is not smoked, using the right wood, charcoal or technique, it may end up with high levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH).

“These substances are considered by the U.S. and the European Union to be dangerous to human health and are claimed to cause cancer.

“Smoked fish consignments containing more than five micrograms per kilogram of these substances may not be allowed into the U.S. and the E.U.,” he said.

Morakinyo said that farmers needed to get in touch with relevant authorities, to understand their requirements and ensure that they are in compliance with paperwork and other prescribed conditions.

“If the fish still contains a considerable amount of moisture after drying and smoking, it’s very likely to attract insects and moulds.

“According to him, this development significantly reduces the quality of the products and the money you can make from them.

“Other common causes of seizure are incomplete documentation or improper labelling and packaging.

“You must ensure that you are aware of the required paperwork and work with the custom broker and importer, to ensure that everything is in place,” Morakinyo said.

He advised aquaculture farmers to follow due process to build a flourishing export business.

Comments

Houthis Claim Attack on Central Israel in Response to Gaza ‘Massacres’

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a concerning regional turn as the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on central Israel. The group announced this as part of their escalating response to what they describe as "massacres" in Gaza amid the Israeli military’s operations in the strip. Details of the Attack The Houthis, a Shiite militant group with ties to Iran, declared that they launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. While the exact impact of these attacks remains unclear, reports suggest that Israel’s defense systems intercepted several threats over its airspace. This marks a significant escalation as the Houthis widen their involvement in the conflict beyond their typical operations within Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ Justification In their statement, the Houthis framed the attack as retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they characterized as indiscriminate bombings resultin...

Fire: UniJos Senate convenes emergency meeting on Monday

Fire at the University of Jos Library University of Jos is to convene an emergency senate meeting on Monday to review the level of damage done to the institution by the Saturday night inferno. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sebastian Maimako, disclosed this on Sunday after inspecting areas affected by the incident. The fire, which lasted for more than six hours, destroyed the Library Complex that equally houses the faculties of management and social sciences. The fire also destroyed examination scripts, books and very crucial materials. Consequently, the vice-chancellor said “the Senate will meet tomorrow (Monday) to take a decision about the unmarked examination scripts that were burnt.” On the cause of the inferno, Maimako said investigation had commenced, adding that “nothing has been confirmed yet. We are still investigating.” The vice chancellor said the school was already working with federal authorities toward establishing a main fire station since the mini fire station in t...

NDLEA arrests 252 suspects, seizes 3,073 kg Indian hemp

NDLEA operatives The NDLEA in Niger on Monday said that it had arrested 252 suspects and seized 3,073.9 kilogramme of Indian hemp(cannabis sativa) in the state. The NDLEA Commander in the state, Mr Joseph Iweajunwa, who disclosed this in Minna, said that the operations were carried out between January and September. “Our operations in Niger State from January to September 2016 led to the arrest of 252 suspects and seizure of 3,073.997 kilogramme of cannabis sativa,’’ he said. Iweajunwa said that within the period, the agency also seized 1, 530 litres of liquid drugs, especially cough syrup with codeine. He said the NDLEA also counselled and rehabilitated 90 drug addicts in the state within the period under review. The agency, he added, secured convictions of only nine of the suspects because the judge at the Federal High Court, Minna, went on leave. “ Now that the judge has resumed more suspects will be tried,’’ he said. He advised motorists, especially commercial vehicle dri...

Global Naija Info

Search This Blog