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By Kenneth Udeh
More than 1,000 prospective and practising entrepreneurs in Anambra State have been given modern aquaculture skills, ranging from fish farming, mushroom farming and crayfish farming, including processing, packaging and marketing.
The five-day intensive training, which began on August 26 had in attendance participants from all the 326 wards of the state. It was facilitated by the Director General, South East Governors’ Forum, Senator Uche Ekwunife, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.
The former lawmaker who represented Anambra Central said she facilitated the skill to make people of the state become financially self-reliant.
Ekwunife, who spoke through her representative, Mr. Chike Obuekwe, described the training as a sustainable practice that reduces the environmental impact of aquaculture, which ensures the long-term viability of the bio-resources and could also appeal to environmentally-conscious consumers.
“For SMEs to grow due to enhanced productivity and market reach, they can potentially create more jobs in the community, adding that it boosts not only the local economy but also reduces unemployment in Anambra State.
“The transfer of technology skills in aqua bio-resources is expected to significantly boost the performance, sustainability, and competitiveness of the SMEs in Anambra State, while contributing immensely to the broader economic development of the region.”
The Training featured lectures, training, practicals and an excursion to a fish pond in Okpuno with concrete ponds and ovum.
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While declaring the training open, the Director General, National Board for Technology Incubator, Dr. Chukwu, represented by the Director of the Agency in the South East, Dr. Clarice Chijioke, expressed joy at the large turnout.
Dr Chijioke, who doubled as a facilitator at the programme, tutored the participants on entrepreneurship development and business opportunities, giving an overview of how to develop and excel in businesses. She explained that an entrepreneur is one who has the initiative to transform business to make gains.
A representative of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Abuja, Nkole Ogbuagu, described the training as a necessity and encouraged participants to venture into entrepreneurship skills and make a living out of it.
Mr Nkole said: “SMEs can enhance their productivity by taking advantage of new technologies and skills like the ongoing agro skill transfer training to become more productive, by enhancing yields in aquaculture and related bio-resource activities.”
This, he posited, can help them meet market demands for their investments more effectively.
Speaking on the final day of the programme, Dr Chijioke noted that entrepreneurship is what drives every economy.
Speaking further, she noted that with improved skills and technologies, SMEs could produce higher-quality products that meet the standards required for export. These higher-quality products, according to her, would open up new markets and opportunities for growth beyond local sales.
Some participants appreciated the organisers of the programme, especially Senator Ekwunife, for giving them the opportunity to be self-employed, promising to start up their own business with the training they have garnered.
