A Lagos-based fish processor, Mr Tunde Sanni, has urged the Federal Government to remove import duties on fish feeds to encourage fish farming and processing.
Sanni told newsmen in Lagos that the duties had resulted in high cost of fish.
Sanni, the Chairman of TEE ESS Integrated Farms Ltd, noted that the high cost of fish was hindering adequate fish supply for processing.
“I want to urge the Federal Government to implement a zero per cent tariff on imported fish feeds.
“There has to be an enabling environment for fish farmers.
“The major challenge we face is getting raw materials which is the fish.
“The price of fish is high, making it difficult for farmers who want to go into commercial processing,” Sanni said.
He also urged government intervention in acquiring smoking kilns, adding that fish farmers needed capacity building to meet international standards.
“Commercial smoking kilns are quite different from the one meant for small scale processing.
The capacity of the smoking kilns depends solely on the scale of processing,” Sanni said.
Sanni also attributed the slow pace of development of fish farming to lack of water and stable power supply.
He, however, told reporters that the Commercial Agriculture Development Project had done much to   fish farmers.