Review and analysis of small-scale aquaculture production in East Africa : Part 4. Uganda

This publication reports the results of a study of the small-scale aquaculture producers’ situation in Uganda that was carried out in March-April 2018. The study was commissioned by Msingi East Africa. The study comprised two main parts: a desk study and a field study. The latter consisted of visits and interviews with fish farmers, fish feed producers and importers, fish traders, service providers and other key informants and served as validation of the results of the desk study. The methodology for field data collection was semi-structured interviews. Three small-holder aquaculture segments have been identified. Segment I comprises of small-holders producing Nile tilapia (ponds and cages) and/or African catfish (ponds). Production varies from 1- 5 tonnes/year. They lack affordable and high quality inputs, knowledge and capital. Segment II includes small-holders producing Nile tilapia (ponds and cages) and/or African catfish (ponds). Production varies from 6 to 40 tonnes/year. They have some degree of knowledge on farm management and some capital to invest. Access to affordable and high quality inputs is problematic. Segment III consists of small-holders with higher education and on-job-skills. Production varies from 41 to 50 tonnes/year. They import high quality feed and have access to family capital. Their business is expanding and they will soon be medium-scale farmers. Opportunities for development support consist of better coordination and an integrated approach within a new aquaculture platform in which lead-farmers train farmers via a training-of trainers approach. The platform should concentrate on segment I and II farmers; they urgently need better feed, improved knowledge, skills and access to capital. Segment II farmers need better local feed of affordable prices and improved knowledge and skills for farm management. Models to link farmers to markets and support services include cluster farming (joined buying of inputs and distribution), aquaparks (improved production infrastructure) and empowering investors with access to capital and organised markets