Govt launches fish project

Adjumani District Fisheries Officer Peter Okunzi (L), talks to FAO officials at a fish farm in Pachara Sub-county, Adjumani District recently . PHOTO BY Martin Okudi

ADJUMANI.

The government in partnership with Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has launched a project to promote fish farming in West Nile and northern regions.

The $400, 000 (Shs1.05b) two-year project will be implemented in Adjumani, Arua, Gulu Lira and Soroti districts.

A fish farming consultant working for the FAO-Technical Cooperation Programme, Mr Simon Owani, recently said for each project area, they would train a team of fish pond construction crew and also work with farmers to teach them how to rear fish.
He said during the implementation hatchery operators and fish feed producers would also be supported in the project areas.

Study
Currently a team of officials from FAO-Technical Cooperation Programme are carrying out a baseline study in all the beneficiary districts before the implementation process starts.

“Successful execution of the project will eradicate poverty, improve nutrition,” Mr Owani said.
Mr Abdul Azizi Badiane, an aquaculture specialist working with FAO-Technical Cooperation Programme disclosed that the hatchery they would set up in each of the project areas wouldl have the capacity to produce two million fingerlings (young fish) of tilapia and cat fish and each young fish would be sold at Shs3,000 to farmers.

Mr Peter Okunzi, the Adjumani fisheries officer, said at least 56 fish ponds in the district have been abandoned by the farmers due to hardship in acquiring fingerlings and fish feeds. “Arrival of the project will allow the fish farmers to rehabilitate and stock their fish ponds because fingerlings will be sold at affordable prices to the farmers,” Mr Okuonzi said.