July 16, 2007

Uganda a rising star in aquaculture landscape
 

Fish farming, considered more as a pastime or sideline a decade ago, has ballooned into a 40,000 tonne a year industry, an official in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has said.

The future of fish farming in Uganda is very optimistic, said Dr Wilson Mwanja the Head of Aquaculture Unit in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries

Fish farming is flourishing because it is demand driven and led mostly by the private sector. This has led to the empowerment of the private sector and unfolding market opportunities, presenting a huge potential for investment.

Dr Mwanja said national fish production (including wildcatch) now stands at 440,000 tonnes annually. Most of the fish catch comes from Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga, which produce an average 250,000 tonnes annually, 180,000 tonnes from Lake Victoria and about 75,000 tonnes from Lake Kyoga.