August 31, 2012

 

China is aiding Uganda in improving its fish farming industry under the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

 

Uganda's fisheries landscape includes the five large which include Lake Victoria, Kyoga, Albert, Edward, George and Kazinga Channel, 160 minor lakes, rivers, swamps and floodplains all of which are critical habitats, breeding and nursery grounds for fish and suitable sites for fish farming.

 

With a rapid population growth rate of 3.2% per annum, one of the highest in the world, fish farming may be the way to go for Uganda especially in the context of limited land for cultivation.

 

The Asian country under the eight measures announced by President Hu Jintao during the 2006 FOCAC meeting held in Beijing, has set up a US$5 million fish farming demonstration centre called "China-Uganda Friendship Agricultural Technological Demonstration Centre".

 

At the centre located on the outskirts of the capital Kampala, local farmers are trained in modern ways of fish farming using simple and affordable technologies.

 

The centre has also got a fish hatchery as well as a feed factory.

 

Fish experts from across the east African region also visit the centre to share knowledge on best practices of fish farming.

 

Rwanda, according to the manager of the centre, Yi Ronggan, has already requested the centre to provide it with technical advice in boosting its fish farming.

 

The Chinese through their vast experience in fish farming over the years, have introduced simple technologies to boost fish production, for instance, cage farming, selective breeding, feeds that have nutrients to boost growth among others.

 

They have also introduced Chinese fish species that can do well in Uganda's environment.

 

"As far as fish farming is concerned, it was made visible by this project and I can say this project has transformed the perception that people had about fish farming," said Justus Rutaisire, former head of the demonstration centre and principal researcher.

 

"People have been able to see fish grow from about 300 grams to about two kilogrammes in 12 months because of the way the Chinese do fish farming. The coming of the Chinese bringing their technology in this country is going to cause a big change and transform the way fishing is done," he added.

 

Experts argued Uganda has the potential of earning huge sums of foreign exchange from fish farming with much more dedicated effort.

 

According to statistics from the Department of Fisheries Resources Annual Report 2010/2011, the fisheries sub sector is estimated to contribute 12% to the agricultural GDP and 2.5% to the national GDP.

 

Fish emerged as a non-traditional export commodity in the late 1980's, with export earnings increasing from US$5.3 million in 1991 to US$83.3 million in 2010.

 

The main export market is the EU and others including the Middle East, US, Egypt and Southeast Asia.

 

In addition to international exports, there is a dramatic increase in regional export markets to neighbouring countries like Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

 

Statistics from the department of fisheries indicated Uganda produces 450,000 tonnes of fish out of the required 650,000 tonnes.

 

The current fish supply cannot satisfy the country's demand on top of the vast regional and international markets.

 

With the coming in of the Chinese, fish production is expected to increase in Uganda.

 

"This collaboration between the Chinese and their Ugandan counterpart has shown that aquaculture business can be viable," said Dismas Mbabazi, head of the demonstration centre.

 

He said that, if 50 out of 20,000 fish farmers in the country, are to acquire the necessary skills and technologies, they will act as model farmers to the rest and revolutionise aquaculture in the country.

 

The entry of the Chinese into Uganda's aquaculture comes in handy in boosting fish production.

 

Working in conjunction with local experts, Chinese scientists impart skills on local farmers.

 

The Chinese company, Huaqiao Fenghuang Group that is running the demonstration centre in conjunction with the Ugandan government has submitted its investment plan to the government.

 

The over US$172 million investment plan, if approved by the government, will come into force in 2014 at the end of the three-year project by the Chinese government.

 

Gan said that the company under its local name, Uganda Huaqiao Fenghuang Fisheries Co. Ltd, will set up a fish feed factory with capacity to produce 200,000 tonnes per annum.

 

According to the proposal, they also plan to set up a fish processing factory with a capacity of producing 20,000 tonnes of fish products per annum.

 

"If government provides preferential policies, all this will be done within eight months," Gan said.

 

Among the request put forward by the company to the government are provision of land and use of water needed for the project and tax waiver for building materials and machinery.

 

It also requested for a discount on work permits.

 

Gan said if government accepts the investment plan, over 5,000 jobs would be created.

 

According to Mujib Nkambo, a fisheries expert at the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute, Uganda is set to roll out extensive commercial fish farming.

 

Besides pond farming, several areas on Ugandan lakes are being mapped out for designation of cage farming.

 

The designated areas will be leased out to investors as a way of increasing fish production and also creation of employment.