Tarkwa (W/R), May 03, GNA - Major (rtd) Courage Quarshigah, Minister of Food and Agriculture has assured fish farmers of support to make the venture lucrative and more attractive to the youth. He enumerated some of the advantages derived from fish farming and advised Ghanaians to consume more fish instead of meat because fish and fishery products provide nutrients to enable them to lead more healthy lives.

The minister was addressing a meeting of the Wassa West District Fish Farmers Association at Tarkwa at the weekend.

He said unlike marine fishing, where one cannot control and therefore has no choice to what he gets, the fish farmer has the choice over the type of fish and the number to cultivate depending on the size of his pond.

Major Quarshigah asked the farmers to identify members among them who are capable of cultivating fingerlings for supply to interested farmers in the area for support from the Ministry.

He commended Nana Enimil Kumah IV, chief of Huni Valley for releasing a 49-hectare land to promote fish farming in the district.

Madam Hannah Blay, District Director of Agriculture said fish farming among the people is gradually becoming popular due to the relative success of the activities of members of the association. Seventy-four farmers are currently operating 136 fishponds in the district.

Mr Emmanuel Kwesi Ayensu, District Chief Executive promised the assembly's support to fish farming to reduce prices of fish on the market and increase protein in the diet of the people. Major Quarshigah and his entourage later inspected the tract of land released by Nana Enimil for interested fish farmers and called on the youth to take advantage of the offer and enter into the venture.