By Abdulkarim Ssengendo
Fish farmers in Rukungiri District under Rural Aquaculture Development (RAD) have called for support to enable them to start regional fish hubs.
RAD supports the growth of the local aquaculture sector, through an innovative service delivery model which enables smallholder producers to access aquaculture technologies.
The farmers believe the fish hubs once supported and implemented in all parts of the country will give fisheries extension services, value addition to the fish products in the country and empower fish farmers to produce quality fingerlings and start selling all sizes of farmed fish.
Pauson Mpabukire Joshua, the co-founder of RAD said they have already registered over 100 fish farmers under RAD out of 200 fish farmers in Rukungiri district.
He said their five-year vision is to register as many fish farmers as they can including those outside Rukungiri district, and in the near future they plan to have regional hubs established at East African region level.
Mpabukire and other farmers believe the hubs will make marketing farmed fish quality and ice machines accessible and also facilitate training of local fish farmers in different aquaculture practices.
The hubs will also support production of black fry to reduce the cost of feed.
According to the farmers, fish farming in Rukungiri district is on the rise, largely dominated by Tilapia fish (engage) and catfish (male).
Mpabukire told New Vision that they have already discussed with international organizations, and Rukungiri District Local Government under the production department about the idea and he is also working with Aston University, Stirling and Think Aqua who are helping in carrying out research in Uganda about fish farming.
He said they are recruiting more fish farmers in the neighbouring districts like Ntungamo.
In the next five years, they expect RAD to be feeding more than a million people and with at least three hubs already established in three regions.
Deo Ntwinga, a farmer said they are pleased with the idea which he believes will empower many fish farmers to increase their production.
Norida Kayabuki, the chairperson of Nyarushanje Women Fisheries group, called on all organizations to support the idea.
Under the project, farmers will get supplementary feeding (black fly), cold chain storage and access to aquaculture expertise, water testing and equipment rental.
Mpabukire encouraged people to invest in fish farming, adding that it’s a project which doesn’t have a lot of competition.
