Roshe Agro makes case for farmed fish as Nigeria’s food service evolves

Roshe Agro, a farm-to-market fish farming business, has positioned locally farmed fish and seafood as key to Nigeria’s food security and hospitality growth, using its Food x Culture Workshop in Lagos to link aquaculture to shifting consumer demand.

The farm-to-market company convened chefs, restaurateurs, and agriculture leaders at Freedom Park to address supply-chain gaps facing hotels, restaurants, and cafés/catering (HORECA) operators, from inconsistent fish sizes to limited traceability.

Delivering the keynote, Abisola Olusanya, Lagos State commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, said aquaculture is “increasingly important” for nutrition, food security and economic growth in the state.

Olusanya, who was represented by Emmanuel Audu, permanent secretary, also reinforced the alignment between public priorities and private innovation in building a more sustainable, traceable, and quality-driven food ecosystem.

The presence of the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems signalled strong institutional support for partnerships that drive local production and reduce reliance on imports.

This alignment positions Roshe Agro at the forefront of a new era in Nigeria’s food system, where local producers meet global standards and hospitality businesses can source premium seafood locally without compromise.

The event spotlighted Roshe Agro’s vertically integrated model — farming tilapia and catfish in the Lagos Lagoon since 2022 and how it leverages aquaSense+ digital farm management ecosystem app to ensure reliable production, strong food safety standards, and a short, transparent supply chain that delivers quality from farm to table.

Dada Foluso, founder of Roshe Agro, noted that the workshop highlighted the need for food service businesses to intentionally create value across the entire chain, from sourcing to final customer experience.

Discussions from the workshop spanned kitchen optimisation, menu engineering, customer experience, and the growing role of clean, healthy and traceable farmed protein in shaping premium dining offerings.

A consensus among experts at the conference was that food businesses that source healthy, locally farmed fish are better positioned to deliver value, differentiate their offerings, and build lasting customer loyalty.

Speakers, including Andersen Consulting’s Olarinmoye Abayomi and HealthKraft Africa’s Olawale Ogunlana, stressed that food service businesses sourcing graded, traceable farmed fish can better optimize menus, differentiate offerings and build loyalty.

With tasting sessions from Tilapia & Tinz Restaurants and Labule Afrikana, Roshe Agro argued that reliable local production lets hospitality operators meet global standards without relying on imports.

As Roshe Agro continues to expand its footprint through cage-culture farming and cold-chain distribution, it remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s hospitality industry with premium, farmed fresh fish that meet the high standards of quality, consistency, and sustainability.

For partnerships, supply inquiries, and collaboration opportunities, Roshe Agro can be emailed at [email protected].

The Food x Culture Workshop marks the beginning of a broader movement to redefine how food is raised, sourced, experienced, and valued.