The Lagos State Catfish and Allied Farmers Association last Thursday appealed to the state government for support, to effectively stem the rising cost of smoked fish.

The President of the association, Mr Rotimi Omodeh, told newsmen in Lagos that the Importation of cheap smoked fish had almost ruined the local market.

Mr Omodeh said that the association members needed support in acquiring the equipment for the processing of smoked fish.

Besides, he urged the government to build fish markets in some parts of the state where fish farmers could sell directly to consumers.

“In Lagos, farmers are at the mercy of the fish sellers who control the prices indiscriminately.

“The imported fish is sold for N400 per kilo, while the local one goes for N1, 000.

“Our prices can be as low as N300, but that can be achieved if the government can give us the necessary support.

“In Asia, where the smoked fish comes from, the farmers get support from their home governments from the production stage, through the processing stage, even in the marketing of the finished product.

“At every stage of the chain, every effort of the farmer is also subsidised,” he said.

According to Omodeh, the cost of fish feeds is very high, due to duties on the importation.

He added that the duties should be removed, until the government was able to produce feeds locally.