GongNews … truth in defense of a just society
Related Articles
By Olayinka Elebute
The JDPC Fish Farmers Association Lagelu Zone recently held its first Annual General Meeting over the weekend in one of the Zonal area Olodo Ibadan Oyo state.
Speaking during the AGM, the Zonal Chairman Mr. Adeleke Michael, said the
association which started as a zone in October 5th 2023 through the help of God and JDPC and since then, the zone as been progressively moving forward.
According to him, Although there’s general economic challenges facing all the sectors in the country today, but JDPC and Skretting Company has been of great help and assistance to us farmers in the zone.
Speaking further, the chairman made it known the impact and the support the zone is receiving from JDPC and Skretting Nigeria, for them Many would have say bid bye-bye to fish farming business today , if not for this two wonderful great organization who has been a great pillars for fish farmers in the zone, he concluded.
On his part, Mr. Sunday Dare, the chairman Loveland, Olodo/Lalupon zone, we really appreciate JDPC/ Skreting for giving us the opportunity and it all started with a call after they told we must have a zone and the 3 groups came together to form one zone with just a call I must Commend everyone for their efforts to make the zone a reality he said.
Also speaking Mr. Omoniyi Ajitoni, the Project Manager for Skretting Nigeria Limited, I am humbled with what Lagelu Zone has done because they are the baby of JDPC/ Skreting farmers Initiative and if the baby of the group can do its 1st Annual General Meeting ahead of the established one like Akobo zone, Oyo zone and Oluyole zone then we need to encourage them.
According to him “You have set a great legacy for others to emulate and as it our pride as an Organisation and you should not relent”.
while he urged the group to remain steadfast and also call on the group to always share information among farmers as this will help in providing solution to some issues among fish farmers.
The JDPC/Skreting Nigeria journey started 8 years ago and what we wanted was the best practices on how to raise fish
He call on JDPC to help farmers with more training while he also promised to bring the General Manager of Skreting to visit the zone
While he urged the farmers to always make sure they return their input money on time, it’s not easy for a company to have close to a Billion naira outside at this critical economic situation of the country he enthused.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Kayode Olubunmi a representative of JDPC, highlighted the vision of the body.
According to him the vision of JDPC is to have Fish farmers associations that are United and it is the joy of the body that farmers can with the support of the JDPC and Skretting to get input for their fish.
He also challenged farmers to carry out research just as JDPC and Skretting Nigeria are also involved in research to make things better for fish farmers
It is important also for farmers to go along with the getting involved with Co-operative investment group and finally, the association must promote point of sales in other to be able to control the market prices for fish in the zone he said.
On his part Mr. Femi Dahunsi who doubles as Skretting and JDPC ambassador, praised the leadership of the Zone for their ability to put together the zone in Oyo state, “here in the state before the establishment of the zones it is the middle men that is benefitting from the sale of fish but with various zone the body now can control the excesses of the middle men”.
With the 7 APEX zone in the state, fish selling has taken a new direction, Dahunsi stated.
The Representative of Director of Cooperative, Inspector in charge from Oyo State Ministry Of industry & Commerce, Mr. Tijani Olayiwola, who was impressed with the level at which the Cooperative has grown said the ministry is proud of what is on ground.
“With what Ifesowapo has done 50% of the job has been accomplished and it’s easier for the government to assist with the growth of the fish farmers in the zone” he said
He also revealed that Oyo state government is interested in fish farming and the government is ready to work with farmers in Oyo state,
“I will encourage the members of the Cooperative to remain focus as this will give the body steady growth” he concluded.
Elder Komolafe, who is the Vice Chairman of the Association and also double as the chairman of Glorious Fish Farmers Wakajaiye, in his closing remarks praise Skretting and JDPC for coming to the rescue of farmers in the zone and wish Nigeria is run the way the company is run assisting farmer with input free and with no cut back from your input.
Lagelu JDPC Fish Farmers Association, is made of Ifesowapo Lagun/, Ore, Loveland Olodo/ Lalupon & Glorious Wakajaye/Iyana Church Group
Certificates were later presented to Ifesowapo to operate as a certified Cooperative body in the state.
