Fish production in Rwanda augmented from 26,581 to 43,632 tonnes in 2 years


Devdiscourse News Desk | Kigali | Updated: 12-02-2019 19:59 IST | Created: 12-02-2019 19:59 IST
Fish production in Rwanda augmented from 26,581 to 43,632 tonnes in 2 years
Rwanda, currently has around 1,424 fish ponds of which 731 are effectively productive, 569 semi-productive, and 125 which are not utilised. Image Credit: Pixabay
  • Country:
  • Rwanda

Latest reports claim that Rwanda has witnessed a significant rise in fish production since 2016 after sustained years of hardship.

The fish production output in Rwanda augmented in 2018 on account of increased investments in modern and commercially oriented aquaculture practices. According to the latest industry outlook by Rwanda Agriculture Board, the country produced 26,581 tonnes of fish in 2016 before increasing to 31,465 and 43,632 tonnes in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

According to The New Times, despite significant rise in fish production, Rwanda still imports an estimated 15,000 tonnes of fish each year to meet the rising demand. The figure (of imported fish) reflects a significant shortage in fish supplies compared to demand. Gérardine Mukeshimana, country Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources said that the government as eased the process of acquiring licenses for aquaculture that has witnessed more influx of funds in the industry.

The source noted that with the ease in process of acquiring licenses, the investors in the fisheries industry are facilitated to obtain fishing concessions, water use permits as well as empowered with technical support on the production of fingerlings among other interventions. Fingerings are young fish that have developed to about the size of a finger.

Rwanda, currently has around 1,424 fish ponds of which 731 are effectively productive, 569 semi-productive, and 125 which are not utilised.

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