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By Obi Madu
The member representing Ogbaru federal constituency of Anambra state in the House of Representatives, Hon. Afam Ogene has sponsored the training of 50 members of his constituency on modernized fish farming techniques.
The beneficiaries comprised 40 female and 10 male farmers in the rich agricultural riverine area of Anambra state
The training which was held at Iyiowa-Odekpe area in Ogbaru local government area, was organized by Ogene who is chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Renewable Energy in collaboration with the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, Enugu State and a private agro firm, Z-Index Limited.
The beneficiaries, who later received start-up modern fish farming equipment, were trained on how to establish a fishery business, including how to handle fingerlings till maturity.
They were also taught the various types of techniques to breed the fish, how to feed them, the kind of supplement and hygiene required for optimal health and growth of the fish.
Leader of the trainers, a renowned mechanized farmer in Ogbaru, Mr. Arinze Nzeli, commended Ogene for the empowerment gesture, describing it as a potential game changer in the lives of the beneficiaries.
He described farming as "game changer, great economic booster, both for the farmers and the society at large".
He said: "If you are very dedicated, fishery can take you out of poverty.
So, I encourage the beneficiaries of this training and empowerment programme to be very committed to this business because within a short period of time, you will give testimony. It would offer you the needed opportunity for self employment and job creation.
I want to particularly thank our Honourable (Victor Afam Ogene) for setting up a committee to monitor the progress of the beneficiaries, especially as he has promised to further assist those who take the business seriously."
In his speech, Hon. Ogene said the training and empowerment programme was part of his economic development strategy in the constituency.
Ogene said, "Our aim is not just to give our people fish, but to also teach them how to fish. We will continue to facilitate skills acquisition and entrepreneurship opportunities for our people that will help them thrive in life.
Apart from university education, which we also support with access and opportunities for our people, we also thought it wise to incorporate some economic enhancing soft skills in addition to useful skills in evolving technologies which we started weeks ago with the training in solar energy for our youths.
We will continue to do our best in this regard in addition to some physical projects - some of which are already ongoing - which we have facilitated for the good and development of our people," Hon. Ogene stated further.
One of the beneficiaries, Madam Oluchi Acholonu from Atani commended Ogene for giving him the opportunity and described him as God-sent to the people of Ogbaru federal constituency to lead the people and assist them in ways that would alleviate poverty.
The beneficiarie were empowered with big fish tank, 100 pieces of fishes(juveniles), bags of fish feed and some cash to start the business.
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