agriculture 13 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Government Launches Fish Farmer Profiling to Revitalize Aquaculture Sector
Uganda's Ministry of Agriculture is initiating a nationwide census of fish farmers to assess the aquaculture sector's current state, identify challenges, and determine necessary government support for its revival. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-starts-profiling-fish-farmers-to-revitalise-aquaculture-sector-5630062
The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has launched a comprehensive initiative to profile fish farmers across Uganda. This nationwide exercise aims to provide a clear picture of the aquaculture sector, including the number of farmers, existing ponds, and the specific challenges they face.
State Minister for Fisheries Robert Migadde Ndugwa emphasized that with declining natural fish stocks from lakes, revitalizing fish farming is crucial for meeting the nation’s demand. “We have been depending on lakes for all our fish needs, but declining fish stocks mean we need to revamp the fish farming sector,” he stated.
During a meeting with stakeholders in Busia District, farmers highlighted significant obstacles. The high cost and limited availability of fish feeds were repeatedly cited as major impediments. One farmer noted the expense of sourcing fish pellets from distant locations like Kenya, Jinja, and Kampala, with a kilogram of feed costing around $100 (approximately Shs350,000).
Furthermore, prolonged drought has led to many fish ponds drying up, resulting in substantial losses for farmers. Busia District, despite its favorable conditions for aquaculture, struggles with low production partly due to a shortage of fingerlings and insufficient access to quality fish feeds.
The government plans to address these issues by supporting farmers in accessing quality fingerlings and exploring the establishment of local fish feed manufacturing facilities. Minister Migadde also urged farmers to form cooperatives to enhance their access to government support and equipment, explaining that providing individual support for tasks like excavator use for pond construction is not economically viable.
Uganda possesses the potential to produce over two million metric tonnes of farmed fish annually, significantly more than its current output of less than 750,000 metric tonnes. This revitalization effort seeks to unlock that potential, boost revenue, and ensure food security.