Anambra State has launched a new technology-driven fish production partnership with a youth cooperative society as part of efforts to scale aquaculture production, create jobs and strengthen food security in the state.
Follow us on Google News
The partnership followed the signing of a franchise contract between Elite Cooperative Society Limited and TeeMartins ICT Limited for the deployment of the TAENPROWIZ Fish Production Business System and Technology.
The agreement, brokered by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Business Development Agency (FABDA), will enable members of the cooperative to transition from training into full commercial fish production using a structured production and business framework.
The contract signing ceremony was held at the FABDA office in Awka, where the President of Elite Cooperative Society, Chukwuma Onyekwe, signed on behalf of the franchisee, while the Managing Director of TeeMartins ICT Limited, Mr. Cosmas Ezenwanne, signed for the franchisor.
The cooperative is made up of youths trained under the ECOWAS-TAENPROWIZ Youth Training 1.0 programme on Table Fish Production Business.
TAENPROWIZ is a patented Nigerian fish production system designed to improve aquaculture productivity through scientific and data-driven methods. The technology operates as an integrated business system covering fish production, management and marketing across the aquaculture value chain.
Speaking during the event, TAENPROWIZ Production Partnership Centre Coordinator, Emeka Iloghalu, described the agreement as a major milestone in Anambra’s push to modernise fish production and build sustainable youth-led agribusinesses.
According to him, the cooperative demonstrated commitment and readiness to contribute to the state’s fish production targets, making it eligible for the franchise opportunity.
“The cooperative society had demonstrated commitment and readiness to contribute to Anambra’s fish production targets, making it eligible for the franchise opportunity,” he said.
Iloghalu explained that the ECOWAS-TAENPROWIZ Youth Training programme initially focused on skills development and technical empowerment, but FABDA later collaborated with the Ministry of Industry and the Director of Cooperatives to organise additional training on cooperative formation and business structure.
He disclosed that six Table Fish Production cooperatives emerged from the programme, with Elite Cooperative becoming the first to sign the TAENPROWIZ franchise agreement.
“This contract is to enable them to move into professional fish production business using the TAENPROWIZ fish production business system and technology. They have positioned themselves to contribute meaningfully to the GDP of Anambra State through table fish production,” he said.
He added that the state’s mid-term target is to increase fish production to 675 million kilograms annually to support industrial demand and export opportunities, while the long-term goal is to position Anambra as the leading fish producer within the ECOWAS region with an annual production target of 1.35 billion kilograms.
“This is not the conventional fish farming system. It is an all-encompassing system designed to transition participants into professional fish production. Following this signing, the cooperative will move into a prepared production facility,” Iloghalu added.
He also expressed hope that the Anambra State Government’s ‘One Youth Two Skills’ initiative would provide financial support and other forms of assistance to youths who participated in the ECOWAS-TAENPROWIZ programme and formed cooperative societies.
Speaking on behalf of the cooperative, Chukwuma Onyekwe described the agreement as a major breakthrough for members.
“We believe the introduction of the TAENPROWIZ System and Technology will make the difference and help us achieve our vision of becoming a major contributor in the fish production business,” he said.
Mr. Cosmas Ezenwanne, Managing Director of TeeMartins ICT Limited, said the partnership would allow the cooperative to deploy high-precision production systems capable of improving efficiency and increasing fish production output across its operations.
