EC FP7 Project
Contract number: 213143
SARNISSA: Sustainable Aquaculture Research Networks
in Sub Saharan Africa
Start Date: February 1st 2008
Duration: 36 months
UGANDA FISH FARMS
TOUR REPORT
I had the opportunity to attend the Fish Farmers Symposium and
International Aquaculture Trade Fair in Kampala – Uganda organized by
WAFICOS between January 12 th and 14th 2011. It was during a discussion
with Karen Veverica and Dr Nelly of Aquaculture Management Consultants
– Uganda that they agreed to host 10 fish farmers from Kenya on an
exposure tour/visit. This had to be done by the first week of February as
Karen was to leave Uganda by the end of that first week.
Suzanne addressing participants
at WAFICOS Symposium 2011
On arrival in Kenya I contacted a number of Fisheries
Officers with whom I work closely and asked them to help
identify a farmer each from their areas. The criteria were
simple - A farmer who had the vision to grow and expand in
aquaculture, who was also committed and dedicated. I was
able to put together a team of eight, myself included. Four
hatchery/grow-out farms were represented, one private fish
farmer, one ESP supported fish farmer, one farmer whose
group project had been supported by a Donor Agency and one
Fisheries Officer.
The following report on the visit has included contributions from all members of the team. . . . . .
PARTICIPANTS
On Jan 31st 2011, 8 fish farmers left Nairobi for Uganda by road for a fish farming exposure trip. In the
team were, Suzanne Njeri- Kamiti Fish and Integrated Farm (Team leader), Mr Tiberius Buteyo - Fresh
Water Fish Farm - Bungoma, Mr James Bundi (JB) - Mwea Aqua Farm - Kirinyaga, Mrs Susan
Aumah, Fisheries Officer - Thika, Mr Phillip Kisimir - Loitoktok Fish Farmers Group – Loitoktok , Mr
Joseph Wanyoike - Muraga Fish Farm - Githunguri, Mr John Njuguna - Kanunga Fish Farm- Kiambu
and Miss Muthoni Mwangi - Thome Fish Farmers- Nairobi.
Left: A group
photo at Mpigi
Fish Farm
Right: Betty of
Kireka Fish
Farm takes us
through catfish
stages
Kenyan Fish Farmers at SON
(Source of the Nile)- Jinja
PURPOSE
Our main objectives were to learn more on:
1.
Tilapia hatchery and cage culture.
2.
Catfish and tilapia grow-out management techniques.
3.
Catfish hatchery management practices.
4.
Tilapia nursery practices.
5.
Fish Feeds and feeding.
6.
Initiating a Fish Farmers’ Association in Kenya and creating collaboration/network with our
Ugandan counterparts.
After a long but comfortable journey we arrived in
Jinja at 6.00 pm and were met by Moses and Jeff,
both of Aquaculture Management Consultants (our
hosts) who welcomed us and were our guides
throughout the trip. After a well deserved rest and a
hearty breakfast we visited SON – Source of the Nile
fish Farm in Jinja. Mr Abudala the Hatchery
manager hosted us and took us through all activities
undertaken at the farm. Of great interest was sex
reversal of tilapia, brood stock management, cage
culture and how they managed the farm.
Differentiation between male and female fish at SON
En route to our next stop we had an opportunity to sample the Ugandan delicacy of barbecued chicken,
beef, goat meat and bananas at a roadside stop where we could not have our fill and were amazed at the
orderliness and courtesy by the vendors.
Cages on the Nile
Caught in the act – with catfish
Caught in the act – with barbecue
The second stop for the day was at Living Fountain Fish Farm
where we met Mr Fred Mulumba the owner. A wonderful
chance to interact with the farmer and his family, who honestly
shared the challenges he has experienced as a fish farmer. As
they say, two heads are better than one and the team had a
chance to brainstorm and see how best he could overcome
some of the challenges. He has an orchard at the farm and we
sampled some juicy, very tasty guava fruits. A delicious, simple
meal of fish had been prepared and the team enjoyed every bite.
Living Fountain Fish Farm
Betty the Manager at Kireka Fish Farm was patiently waiting for us, even though we were over two
hours late for our appointment having been delayed in traffic. Some of our team members had never
been to a catfish or tilapia hatchery and this was a good experience as we got to see and learn the entire
catfish breeding process from start to finish.
Left: Kireka Fish
Farm
Right: Record board
at Kireka Fish Farm
Later that evening we visited our host’s offices - Aquaculture Management Consultants and got to meet
Dr Nelly and Rita who were happy to have made this visit possible.
Mr Musoke of Kabaganda Fish Farm
stressing a point
On the second day of our visit, we visited Kabaganda Fish
Farm where we were introduced to another aspect of fish
farming as a business. Nursery & grow out, which is what Mr
Tom Musoke who is also the Secretary General of
WAFICOS does. He buys tilapia fry (0.2g) and grows them
to fingerling size (5g) for a period of four to six weeks then
sells them to other farmers, who grow them to plate/market
size. A complete transformation when Mr Musoke changed
from his farm clothes to an executive in a suit. He
accompanied us to WAFICOS offices where we had the
opportunity to meet the Executive Committee members who
were having a meeting that day.
After a delicious lunch at the WAFICOS canteen, we were accompanied by the ever smiling Mr Paul
Ssebinyansi, the Chairman of WAFICOS and proud owner of Mpigi Fish Farm and Water Supply. An
impressive scenery and well trimmed landscape was the reception we received at his farm. He took us
through both cat fish and tilapia breeding and grow out techniques. He was the only farmer who said
that he was also growing Tilapia-zilli which he believes grow to a larger size.
Left: Mpigi
Fish Farm with
Mr Ssebinyansi
the owner
Right: Catfish
hatchery at
Mpigi Fish
Farm
As we all know, one condition for fish to grow and grow fast is a good diet with the right nutrients.
That was the exact point that Karen Veverika helped settle in our minds when we visited Ugachick
Poultry Breeders Ltd. We enjoyed her talk as she advised on how to stock a facility based on the
carrying capacity of the pond and not on the size of the pond or how much you expect to harvest. We
had the pleasure of being taken round the factory and saw what it takes to produce quality fish feed that
is formulated at different proportions according to the size, age and type of fish. A great treat was the
finger licking chicken that we were served by our host Mr Sekalala the Chairman of Ugachick and Ms
Nakimu Susan. Thanks to them, our waistlines increased one size larger. Karen gave each member in
the team a sample of the various fish feed made at the factory and Mr Sekalala crowned it all with a
calendar given to each team member. Suzanne in turn presented them with engraved glasses as a thank
you from the team. This was our only visit for the day.
Karen takes us through Fish Nutrition requirements
at Ugachick
Checking the quality of pellets
We then drove to Bushenyi, a 6 hour drive from Kampala where we spent the night in readiness for the
following days visit.
Kabeihura Fish Farm
At Kabeihura Fish Farm we were received by the
owners Mr Eriabu Muhoonzi and his wife. Mr Dan
Ojambo, the farm manager was our guide as we
toured the expansive farm that practices integrated
farming. They grow tea, pineapples; have dairy
cows and fish farming. Here we got to learn
challenges that some farmers go through when it
comes to water and soil pH and how to neutralize
it. We also saw how a large scale catfish hatchery
operates and were impressed by the size and
management of their operations. Split production
was explained to the team. We also got to know
that they have out grower farmers who they buy their produce from and market for. This is a project
that has received funding from USAID. The fresh countryside air kept beckoning but we had a 6 hour
journey back to Kampala as was our last visit of our tour as we were traveling back to Kenya the
following day.
Left: Degassing
system at
Kabeihura
Right: Fish
smoking kiln
at Kabeihura
Later that evening we had dinner with our hosts Dr Nelly, Ms Rita, Jeff and Moses all of Aquaculture
Management Consultants and Ben the WAFICOS Coordinator. We expressed our gratitude for their
having funded our visit, their hospitality and time. In appreciation, our team presented each member of
our hosts with a gift.
The tour was an exposure and eye opener for us. Undoubtedly, we each greatly benefited from the tour
and were greatly impressed by the fishing developments in Uganda. The techniques adopted for
increasing fish production, quality fish feeds, good water management practices, and cage farming
were some of the aspects that we found very useful.
Our appreciation and gratitude go to Karen and Aquaculture Management Consultants, WAFICOS,
Ugachick Ltd, and all the others, who facilitated and granted us this opportunity and made it successful.
To the individual farmers and staff of all farms visited, we are forever thankful for the advice, the
lessons learned and the opportunity to visit your fish farms.
To Moses, we have no words. There could never have been a better driver, guide, teacher, friend and
partner. Jeff, who knew all the right places that, served A+ food and where we could stretch our tired
muscles.
To all we promise, that we will put into place lessons and best practices learned and that we will
support each other to ensure the success and growth of fish farming in the East African Region. We
will also do our best to start a forum like WAFICOS in Kenya and keep networking with you all. It is
our prayer that such exchange visits will continue and that farmers from both countries will get more
opportunities like this!
Suzanne Njeri,
Team Leader.
www.sarnissa.org
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