Farmers in OML 58 host
communities have been urged to take advantage of the rich potentials in aquaculture to improve their income earnings.
A lecturer, Dr Ebinimi Joe Ansa of the African Regional Aquaculture Centre (ARAC) gave the advice at a recent workshop organised in Port Harcourt by the French Oil giant, Total E&P Nigeria Limited (TEPNG) for farmers in OML58 host communities.
Ana said, apart from being endowed with huge crude deposit, the communities have great potentials in aquaculture which, when well enhanced, would bring a turnaround in the socio-economic well-being of the people.
The don however regretted that instead of approaching their farming operations as serious business, the farmers see aquaculture as mere pastime, limiting themselves to subsistence level.
She challenged them to expand their operations by imbibing the tenets of business in their farming activities.
She stated that a farmer could concentrate on various aspects of the aquaculture business as fingerling production, production of fish feeds, drying, and preservation of fish, marketing and several aspects, remarking hat engagement into any of the aspects has so much economic potentials for the people.
An important business approach that would make them succeed, according to Ansa, is by viewing it as a business.
The don explained that the farmers must learn to keep records of their activities especially expenses and income which should with time, be evaluated, adding that farmers should form cooperatives.
She urged them to transform from subsistence to a profitable business venture and reduce their dependence on companies and government, stressing that beyond providing employment, it guarantees food and expand their socio-economic horizons.

Chris Oluoh