By – Sonaike Peter

The first phase of the 3-cycle project in the Aquaculture scheme of the 2023 British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), Agricultural Entrepreneurship grant in partnership with University of Ibadan, has been concluded.

Christianah Olufemi and Sarah Ogboye, two respective graduates and beneficiaries had been mobilized to begin the preliminary works, making use of the existing ponds at the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management in the University.

The ponds with ‘juveniles’, which were stocked in March 2024, were nurtured for eleven weeks.

The harvest from the ponds took place on 21 May 2024 in the presence of representatives of the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation with the sizes of the fishes appreciably adjudged.

The processing aspect of the project will begin immediately after the harvest, and concluded within the week of 27th to 30rd of June, 2024.

The Dean of the Renewable Natural Resolution, Professor Adejoke Akinyele recalled the call for the application 2023 grant.

“The call for applications for the 2023 grant was sent out on 22 August 2023 with the deadline for expression of interest and willingness to participate in the project slated for Friday, 01 September 2023″ Professor Akinyele recalled.

“Six candidates were available to make presentations, and the pitches were considered good, but there were only four (4) awards available for 2023, two for beneficiaries in the field of Aquaculture and another two in Agriculture” Professor Akinyele added.