In an effort to devise a comprehensive strategy to fully capitalize on the untapped fish market, a gathering of up to 700 young aqua culturists from across the country is scheduled for their inaugural sector strategizing meeting.
Current statistics indicate that over 1.7 million individuals are directly employed in the aquaculture sector, with an additional 3 million engaged indirectly. Uganda garnered USD 116.2 million from fish and fish product exports in the 2021/22 financial year. The primary focus of the meeting will be to address critical sectoral challenges, particularly deficiencies in processing.
Speaking to media at Gudie Leisure Farm in Najjera Kampala, Gudula Nayiga, emphasized the necessity of prioritizing the development of the aquaculture sector to maximize benefits from one of the least exploited value chains. She stressed the need to modernize the value chain to align with contemporary technology and farming practices.
Nayiga underscored the urgency of urging the government to provide farmers with appropriate fish species for specific water types, along with comprehensive guidance on fish husbandry, akin to other agricultural sectors. She highlighted the inadequate cold chain storage and transportation facilities in some districts, urging government investment to address these deficiencies.
According to Nayiga, decentralizing fish processing facilities and establishing secondary processing initiatives are crucial steps. By processing fish closer to farming communities and exporting processed products rather than raw materials, the sector can generate higher revenue.
Meanwhile Florence Nampeera, a youth aqua culturist from Rakai, welcomed the upcoming meeting as a timely opportunity to access expertise and foster a network for youth engagement in the aquaculture sector, building upon two years of successful youth aquaculture training and increasing investments in the field.
Nampeera emphasized that the meeting, spearheaded by the private sector, aims to proactively promote and support aquaculture development in alignment with the government’s social and economic transformation agenda. It also serves to showcase the sector to potential investors, particularly younger entrepreneurs.
Uganda’s fish export revenue has experienced a downward trend, dropping from USD 190 million in FY 2017/18 to USD 146 million in 2021/22. Locally, per capita fish consumption remains stagnant at 10 kg, far below the recommended 20 kg. Sector stakeholders attribute these challenges to the lack of a concerted plan to address internal issues and the resultant disorganization, underscoring the necessity of the proposed meeting.
