Fish farmers in Pader district are reaping big in sales and expecting high quantity of fish supply from over 180 fish ponds in the district after fingerling supplies were made to Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) by the district fisheries officer.
Martine Okello, a fish farmer from Puranga sub county in Pader district said that he received 2,000 fish fingerlings from the district and have reproduced to over 10,000 fish in his 5 ponds. Okello added that he has made harvest 2 to 3 times earning him millions of shillings with a kilo at Ugx. 10,000.
According to Okello, he mainly keeps tilapia and catfish since they are simple to keep. However, he said that there are challenges of feeds to boost the farming in the district, and he currently use local feeds.
Okello confirm that the district farmers can afford to supply the entire east Acholi if production is increased and the challenges handled amicably. He further urged farmers to practice fish farming sine it’s cheap and not risky.
Okello on fish farming (Luo)
Meanwhile, Thomas Odongkara, a resident of Pader who is coordinating the work of three fish farmers’ groups said they decided to do fish farming because it’s not risky since the environment/climate change rarely affects its development. He added that they are waiting for fish fingerlings with three of their ponds ready for production.
Odongkara on fish farming (Luo)
John Tyan, Pader district fisheries officer said that there are currently 188 fish ponds in the district excluding the ones located along the road, with others well stocked with fish fingerlings. He added that there 32 new damps constructed and awaiting fish fingerlings since a request of 200,000 fish fingerlings were made.
Tyan said that there are challenges facing production of fish, one being lack of fish frying center, cases of theft reported involved in fish farming, among others. He further urges stakeholders to lobby for fish fry center it’s very expensive to obtain costing over Ugx. 100million.
Tyan on challenges of fish farming in Pader
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