Aquaculture production and its contribution to development in the Rwenzori region Uganda

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to estimate aquaculture production and its contribution to development in the Rwenzori region. A survey questionnaire administered to 116 active fish famers found that most were males, aged 48-57 years, with primary education. Men dominated fish pond ownership, management, marketing and spending of the proceeds. The average yield was estimated to be 14 t ha^-1 from small ponds (mean = 524 m²) and 30t ha^-1 from large ones (mean = 6,188 m²) in Kasese and Kamwenge districts respectively. Most farmers used yam leaves and avocado fruits as feed, preferred Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) for farming, sourced fish seed from local producers, belonged to a farmer association and used their own capital. Major challenges were the cost of feed and fish fingerlings, while most farmers used aquaculture income to pay school fees.

Keywords: Fish farming, Livelihoods, Nile tilapia, Yield