Tarkwa(WR), Sept.12, GNA - Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister of Fisheries on Tuesday presented a back-hoe excavator and compactor worth more than GH=A2160,000 (1.6 billion cedis) to members of Wassa West District Fish Farmers Association at Tarkwa.

The equipment is to enable members expand their ponds, build new ponds to specification and enable more people take interest in fish farming.

She handed over the equipment to Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Ayensu, Wassa West District Chief Executive who presented them to Mr Peter Eshun, Chairman of the association.

Mrs Asmah said aquaculture was a lucrative business and advised more people to take active interest in the venture. She said the ministry was prepared to assist more fish farmers with inputs including the supply of fingerlings, provision of capital and ready market to boost the fishing industry that had the potential to become a leading foreign exchange earner for the country. Mrs Asmah pointed out that the ministry had taken a cue from farmers in China who through the export of tilapia earned that country more than 500 million dollars annually. Mr Ayensu expressed appreciation to the ministry for the assistance to fish farmers with the needed equipment to promote interest in aquaculture in the district.

Mr Alfred Tetebo, Director of Fisheries at the ministry, advised farmers to adopt fish farming in addition to food crops production to improve their income and reduce poverty. He said the ministry had made similar presentation to fish farmers in Ashanti Region that had improved their living standards. Mr Tetebo commended members of the association for being the best-organized fish farmers association in the country. It has 224 members.