Triton records 40 tons of catfish in first harvest

The investment in the Nigerian aquaculture, according to the firm, is to comply with current federal government’s policy on fish importation as well as to bridge the gap in fish demand deficit in the country. Speaking at the inaugural harvest in Iwo, Osun State, chief executive officer of the company, Mr. Raju Samtani, said although […]

The investment in the Nigerian aquaculture, according to the firm, is to comply with current federal government’s policy on fish importation as well as to bridge the gap in fish demand deficit in the country.
Speaking at the inaugural harvest in Iwo, Osun State, chief executive officer of the company, Mr. Raju Samtani, said although the company’s target for the initial stage of production is 800 tons, it has successfully recorded 40 tons in the first harvest.
Samtani expressed concern about lack of awareness on tilapia and hinted that Triton will go into local breed of Tilapia as part of its investment with target of 3000 tons per annum.
He said the company has acquired about 72 acres of land for fish and poultry farming in Osun State and other smaller one in Lagos.
He said the land has eight ponds of 100 by 80 metres of two ponds and 100 by 40 metres of six ponds are part of the company’s strategies to expand its fishery business as well as 80 by 20 metres of four nursing ponds.
Samtani explained that  to address the challenge of  fingerlings and feed mill production, the firm has included hatchery into the investment with plans to produce two million fingerlings annually, expanded to three million later and 60,000 tons of fish feeds.
He noted that the Nigerian government’s policy on agriculture which promotes local production of fisheries is a motivation for the firm’s current investment.
This, he said, influenced Triton to divert part of its investment into local fish and poultry production.
Samtani said that with local production and investment, the company is trying to reduce its fish importation.
Meanwhile, the Olupo of Oluponna, Iwo, Osun State, His Royal Highness, Oba Emmanuel Oyeleso Oyebamiji, said the big farming project situated in his community was a plus not only to the community but the whole nation as it stands to promote Nigerian economy in terms of food production as well as job creation.
The oba said also that the project created employment for the people in the community with hope that as the firm grows, more will get jobs.