Youth are the future of aquatic food systems (Emerging youth: Olatunde Olufunmike Kechicha)
Photo: WorldFish
A 2021 report by the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition of the Committee on World Food Security acknowledges the importance of youth participation in the transformation of food systems and the need to invest time and effort to engage them. However, many challenges remain and youth need to overcome multiple barriers to become involved in aquatic food systems.
Through this series, WorldFish features prominent youth in aquatic food systems across the value chain, be it input suppliers, producers, processors, traders, or academics, and share their successes, failures, opportunities, and aspirations to inspire other youth to enter the sector.
Olatunde Olufunmike Kechicha is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Imoran Farms Nigeria Limited, which produces juvenile catfish fingerlings to distribute to fish farmers throughout Nigeria. The 28-year-old entrepreneur has received nominations for a multitude of national and international awards for her agricultural work in the country. Most recently, she was awarded the 2020 Aquaculture Awards in the Rising Star category.
"I would say the most noticeable thing from winning the award was the network of people I have met and connected with both physically and virtually. It has also helped give credibility to my brand, and this shows with us opening our own retail farm store,” elaborated Kechicha, who holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology from the University of Ibadan.
