The Pilot Project on Aquaculture Development in Ethiopia:- Bridging the gap of fish seed demand through hatchery establishment and village based extension approach

Hussein Abegaz Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

14 April, 2009, Kampala

Background

1. Ethiopia Population 77 million with 2.9% growth rate Area 1.14 million Km2

Its altitude ranges -126 m to 4620 m It is a land locked country (inland fisheries) It is economy is mainly based on agriculture In most cases highlands dominate mixed

farming system.

The aquaculture activities increased in the country The contribution of fisheries aquaculture for food

security recognized by federal and local regional policy makers

Available favorable agro-ecology, abundant seasonal rainfall and several small water bodies

The abundance and fast increment the number of SWB due to irrigation agriculture intensification which can be for fishery and aquaculture resources.

2. Aquaculture Development Potential

3. Government Plans for Aquaculture

Development Endorsed NADSE Strengthening existing fish stocking program, Developing farmers-based demonstration fish

ponds and fish culture centres for breeding and distribution of fingerlings,

Training of fish farm technicians, Intensify fish farming by effective extension

support for fish farmers, Encourage the private sector for development of

commercial aquaculture.

a. Formulated the Strategy-NADSE

NADSE formulation took a total 7 weeks starting from 22, March 2009,

NADSE Working group members: 2 FAO consultants, 2 national consultants and 6 Ethiopian professionals

b. The strategy out put

Immediate out put; Provided the general guidelines for the

rational and sustainable development and expansion of the aquaculture sub-sector,

Short and medium action plan prepared and,

National aquaculture pilot project prepared and will be presenting below.

3. Small Scale Aquaculture practice

Above 200 farmer are exercised fish farming in their fish ponds at different regional Governments,

Operation of Stocking in to SWB is very

active (>30 SWB stocked last 2 years)

4. Aquaculture investment 27 investors received license (in the last three

years)

Among those: Ethio-Fisheries Plc:- in aquaculture, near Lake Abaya

( it has established modern fish processing plant), Vittorio Viezzt Carlo Talaric Plc:- Fish Farming near

Lake Chamo, MIDGE 2000 Plc:- Cage Culture in Lake Tana, Ashraf Industrial Groups:- Cage Culture in Lake

Tana, Trout fish farm PLC and, Lobster farm PLC

5. The pilot project

General objective To enhance contribution of fisheries and aquaculture

to food security and rural development

Specific objectives To demonstrate and assess the feasibility of small

scale integrated fish farming technologies at selected sites,

To establish model fish hatchery facilities, To integrate fish farming with agriculture, To test cluster/village based fish farming extension

approach, and To achieve the MDG’s target of food security.

5.1 Project components

1) Aquaculture Extension/Outreach Develop Aquaculture extension system Establish Fish Hatchery system

Purpose To accelerate aquaculture development

through creating a dependable aquaculture input delivery services.

Major Activities

Develop Aquaculture extension system, Improve Fish production, handling and

marketing, Develop aquaculture extension package and

materials, Formation of model farmers group (village

based fish farming groups), Establishing aquaculture facilities/fingerling

production facilities at four regional states,

…. cont’d

Promoting private sector participation, Improving handling and transportation of

fingerlings, Organizing fish farmers into cooperative

society, Conduct socio-economic and market studies, Bio-economic modeling of aquaculture

productions and, Preparation of guidelines on aquaculture

development.

2) Develop small water bodies fishery through aquaculture

Purpose Improve local capacity to construct and manage

small water bodies for improved fish production, crop irrigation and animal husbandry.

Activities Inventory of SWB Identification and selection of fishing gears and

seasons for SWB, Stocking of SWB Establish local community SWB management entities Screen different management plans for SWB Build capacity.

6. Cultured fish species

Cultured local fish species Tilapia Nilotica, Tilapia Zilli and, Carp (common and grass carp)

7.Beneficiaries and impact

Small holder fish farmers, Private investors, Traders (input and out put ) Governments, Consumers, Researchers, Development workers, Students High learning institutions etc…

7. Implementation

4 Regional Governments, 3 Districts per region, 3 Villages in clusters approach each district, 30 Farmers per village, of them 5 are women

HH, 1080 model farmers will be participating in

the demonstration.

8. Major Output

Aquaculture extension package and materials will be produced,

Effective access to aquaculture inputs and opened up,

Capacity building; Such as production /collection and distribution of fry/fingerlings established,

Target groups for fish farming identified and supported,

Private sectors motivated and involved in aquaculture activities.

9. Budget and Duration

The total USD 2,672,250,

80 % of total project cost goes for hatchery establishment.

Duration: 2 years

Farmer pond

Pictures of Current aquaculture practice

Integrated with horticulture

Integration with Rice

Integration with chicken

Farmer’s pond

Fish seed collection from wild

Thank you!!!