600 MILLION DOLLARS FOR FISH FARMERS IN UGANDA

At least now fish farmers in the country have a reason to smile after the government has announced to put aside 600 million dollars which is equivalent to 600 billion Ugandan shillings for the improvement of the sector.
The great long awaited news was announced by the Assistant Commissioner for fisheries Mr. Jackson Wadenya representing the state minister for agriculture at the 4th annual fish farmers` symposium at Lugogo UMA conference hall. “ Government is extending this money to fish farmers but they should also try to seek information of its availability, many fish farmers are not informed yet this business needs one to make informed decisions” he said. He also clarified that this money is mainly for starting and boosting simple aquaculture enterprises in their local areas. “Fish farmers should try to use their expertise to see that some work is being done. This money is to go to only those who have already started something” he continued, before mentioning that the project is to benefit one thousand six hundred fish farmers and is to run for five years, from now up to 2015.
This comes at a time when fish farmers are still faced with the dilemma that government policy on NAADS excludes their sector since it (NAADS) it was majorly for animal and crop growing farmers as was dictated by the Danish government who are the major funders. However, the commissioner said the ministry has already formulated an investment strategy dubbed ‘Water for production’ which caters for aquaculture as well.
Fish farmers have for long blamed the lack of a government policy which concerns their business. “Aquaculture has not been considered by government as compared by maize, millet, coffee and the diary sector yet ours involves a lot of technology” laments Rita Amalo of Aquaculture Management Consultants, Ltd. She continues to say that even the bureaucracy stated by the current policies with the concerned authorities like NEMA is too long and rigid.
It is at this point that fish farmers place their plea to the appointing authority to create an independent ministry for fisheries just like their Kenyan counterparts have one in the same post. “It is not easy to get permission from NEMA and National water, the process is too long especially is it is cage fish farming. I think the government should appoint a minister for fisheries maybe that way we can have a clear policy on fish farming” said Paul Ssebinyansi the chairman Walimi Fish Cooperative Society.
This year`s fish farmers` symposium is organized by Walimi Fish Cooperative Society (WAFICOS) under the theme: “Viable Fish farming” with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), putting emphasis on value addition and marketing of farmed fish. It is expected to end on Friday 16th with an exhibition of fish products on the market.