By Chioma Onuegbu, Uyo

Hon. Okpolupm Etteh, a member of the House of Representatives, has launched the third phase of empowerment training in fish and snail farming for at least 100 rural women in Akwa Ibom State.

Etteh, who represents the Eket/ONNA/Esit Eket/Ibeno federal constituency, officially kicked off the program on Tuesday at his Constituency Office along RCC Road in the Eket local government area.

According to a statement released to newsmen on Friday in Uyo, this phase of the program was organized in collaboration with the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, targeting women farmers from Eket, ONNA, Esit-Eket, and Ibeno LGAs.

At the event, Etteh highlighted the initiative’s goal to equip beneficiaries with essential skills in sustainable farming practices, enabling them to contribute significantly to food security in the state.

Represented by Mr. Ekoakwaha Etteh, a former Chapter Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibeno LGA, the lawmaker stated, “The empowerment training on fish and snail farming was chosen due to its low entry barriers and the high nutritional value of both fish and snails. Additionally, it aligns with Governor Umo Eno’s A.R.I.S.E. Agenda to boost local agricultural productivity and foster self-reliance among women in rural communities.”

Mrs. Effa Adebola, representing the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, elaborated on the training’s curriculum, which covers technical aspects of fish and snail farming, including breeding, feeding, pest control, and harvesting.

“Participants will also gain insights into the medicinal and nutritional benefits of these practices, which aligns with the Agency’s focus on natural food sources for health,” she added.

Obonganwan Grace Oduok, a Special Assistant to the Governor on Trade, praised the federal lawmaker for his commitment to including women in his empowerment initiatives and expressed optimism about the training’s potential to enhance household income and improve local food supply in the state.