The Lagos State Catfish and Allied Farmers Association (LASCAFAN) has led a delegation of fish farmers in the state to the ministry of agriculture and food systems for intervention following the recent floods.

The Vice-president and incoming President of the association, Olatoye Fajimi, disclosed this during an interview on Friday in Lagos.

The fish farmers in the state said they lost over N150 million in the flood between August 3 and August 4.

Mr Fajimi said the visit to the ministry was important to save the sector from total collapse following the massive loss it experienced during the floods.

He stated, “We led a delegation of farmers from across different fish farming clusters in Ikorodu to the state secretary at Alausa to submit a save-our-soul letter to the commissioner for agriculture and food systems. The visit was in respect to the massive flood issue that ravaged many fish farming clusters in Ikorodu overnight from August 3 to 4 this year.

“We requested for government assistance as we stated the issues and how the flood affected a lot of the farming clusters in Ikorodu. About 12 farming clusters were affected by the flood, and we lost fish worth over N150 million. The list of farmers that were affected was attached to the letter and a request was made to the state government to assist us in clearing the canals around the farming clusters in Ikorodu and environs.’’

According to him, the association also requested the provision of some farming inputs to help the farmers start their business all over

He said, “During the visit, the farmers appreciated the state government for all the support that the farmers have received in the past and pleaded for more support. We are making this call for the farmers that have lost their source of livelihood and to ensure that food security will be continuous in the state as well as the prevention of loss of jobs because of the number of households involved.’’

He said the farmers were received by the Director of Fisheries, Daisy Osinkoya, on behalf of the government.

“They commiserated with the farmers over the huge loss, which they are aware of and recommended some measures they advised the farmers to put in place to prevent future occurrence, especially in the face of the climate change that we are experiencing.

“The ministry promised to liaise with the ministry of environment so that all the canals around Ikorodu will be pointed out to them for swift action. The ministry also informed the farmers that officials from the ministry of agriculture and the FADAMA project have been sent out to visit the various affected farming clusters to assess the extent of damage. Recommendations will be made on what the government can do to support the farmers,” the LASCAFAN boss said.

He also appreciated the state Ministry of Agriculture for its past interventions in the sector.

He added, “On this note, LASCAFAN, wishes to appreciate the state government for all that has been done in the past for farmers all across the state. We are looking forward to further support, especially in this dire situation that we have found ourselves.’’

(NAN)