Fishpond farmers appeal for more trained fish doctors

Domeabra (Ash), Jan 19, GNA - Fish pond farmers have suggested to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to initiate steps to train more fish doctors to cope with fish diseases in the system. The farmers observed that despite the huge rate of production and consumption of fish in the country, there were only two fish doctors to handle fish diseases.

This, they described as woefully inadequate.

The farmers made the suggestion at an open forum soon after a lecture on fish diseases and feeding was delivered by Mr Linus A. Kumah, an Assistant Director of the Fisheries Department in Accra, for fish pond farmers, organised by the Ministry of Fisheries at Domeabra on Tuesday in the Ejisu-Juaben district. The lecture formed part of a training programme initiated by the Ministry of Fisheries in conjunction with the Kumah Farms Complex to promote fresh and fishpond farming among peasant farmers in the country. While acknowledging that fish diseases were not harmful to humans, Mr. Kumah said it was still vital to have adequate Doctors trained in that sector.

Such training would enable them to research into the causes of certain diseases associated with fish, and how to protect consumers from falling victim to any such diseases.

Mr Kumah was not happy about the attention poor given to the production of tilapia fingerlings in the system. He advised farmers to give priority attention to the production of tilapia fingerlings since they, compared to cat fingerlings, were in short supply and could therefore fetch them more income.