Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, the Director-General (DG), National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), says consumption of catfish can address the issue of malnutrition in the country.

The D-G said this during the training of catfish farmers on the state of research on the genetics of African catfish in Abuja on Thursday.

Mustapha, who was represented by the director in charge of agriculture at NABDA, Mrs. Rose Gidado, said the agency has the mandate to carry out research and development.

This, according to him, is in the areas of agriculture, health, environment and industry for economic growth.

He said, “We can curb malnutrition through catfish because it is highly proteinous and cholesterol-free.”

Mustapha said catfish farming holds a lot of promise for the farmers, adding that it would help them in their quest for economic growth.

The trainees, who came from different parts of the country, were urged not to relent in their desire to expand their catfish farming.

He said there had been reported cases of losses by farmers and one way of addressing this is through this workshop.

He added that the agency would collaborate to ensure the development of the agriculture sector in the country.

Dr. Suleiman Isa, speaking on “Catfish genetics and improving catfish hatchery and seed supply, said, “Nigeria’s production of catfish now stands at almost 300,000 tons.

He urged the trainees to ensure that they replicated the knowledge acquired, adding that this would help to improve catfish farming in the country.

Mr Musa Abdullahi, a trainee from Kaduna State who commended the organisers for the training, said that it would help him to improve on his job.

Mrs Kate Davies, a catfish farmer said the training was an eye opener and would further boost her productivity in the business of fish farming.

The trainees include males and females from different parts of the country.