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This report presents the findings of a desk study and a field work conducted in Rwanda on small-scale commercial aquaculture and is part of a regional study commissioned by Msingi East Africa Limited. The aquaculture sector in Rwanda is dominated by small- scale producers of mainly Tilapia and African catfish (to a lesser extent) in ponds, and an increasing number of Tilapia producers in cages in Lakes Kivu and Muhazi. Based on production infrastructure used and production volumes, three segments have been identified: 1. Small-holder farmers producing Tilapia in ponds using animal manure to fertilise the ponds and feeding with bran and vegetables. The production of fish farmers in segment 1 range between 1.5and 17 tonnes of fish per year. 2. Small-holders producing Tilapia in low volume cages using farm-made feed and locally manufactured feed. The production of fish farmers in segment 2 range between 17 and 30 tonnes of fish per year. 3. Small-holders producing Tilapia in high volume cages using locally manufactured feed and imported feed. The production of fish farmers in segment 3 range between 30 and 50 tonnes of fish per year.Key constraints encountered by the sector are the lack of fingerlings in quantity and quality, the low quality of locally manufactured feed, the high cost of imported feed, the lack of skills and access to finance. Opportunities to expand small-scale commercial fish farming exist in mass on-growing of tilapia fry, semi-intensification of pond production, and clustering of small-scale commercial cage farmers for improved access to inputs, services, information and training, and a consistent supply of fish products to the markets.Recommended production models for small-scale commercial fish farmers include aquaculture park systems linked through farming contracts to input/service suppliers and fish traders.

This report describes the findings of a literature study and of interviews with fish farmers and key informants familiar with the Tanzanian freshwater aquaculture sector. The study was part of an assignment commissioned by Msingi East Africa. The report was developed in collaboration with Stichting BoP Innovation Centre. Msingi is an East African industry development organisation. It aims to support the growth of competitive industries in the region. Aquaculture has been selected as the first East African industry to support among strategic industries in which East Africa has a comparative advantage. Msingi supports their growth through investment and technical assistance to pioneer businesses; this is complemented by wider support to the sector, such as on policy, technology transfer, research and development, human capacity building or support to key sector organisations.The Tanzanian freshwater aquaculture sector consists of roughly 19,000 small-scale farmers operating one or a few small ponds stocked with tilapia and/or catfish. Fish are fed in most cases with agricultural by-products and residues that are available on the farm. For most producers, fish farming is a part-time activity besides other sources of income. A small but growing number of farmers have specialised and are applying commercial fish feeds and are reaching higher levels of production. Total annual freshwater fish production of Tanzania is estimated to be 5000 metric tonnes. In the last years a growth of production is reported to take place as result of existing farms expanding and new farms being established. Part of the new farms use floating cages placed in Lake Victoria and Lake Kumba. All farmed fish is sold on the Tanzanian market, mostly as fresh, whole fish. Lack of capital and finance opportunities, a shortage of affordable commercial fish feeds, a shortage of fingerlings (fish seeds) of good quality and a lack of knowledge among farmers about improved aquaculture practices, farm management and a business–like approach to fish farming have been identified as major bottlenecks for growth of production of the small-scale producers. Recommendations for action that would address these bottlenecks are given in this report.

This publication reports the results of a study of the small-scale aquaculture producers’ situation in Uganda that was carried out in March-April 2018. The study was commissioned by Msingi East Africa. The study comprised two main parts: a desk study and a field study. The latter consisted of visits and interviews with fish farmers, fish feed producers and importers, fish traders, service providers and other key informants and served as validation of the results of the desk study. The methodology for field data collection was semi-structured interviews. Three small-holder aquaculture segments have been identified. Segment I comprises of small-holders producing Nile tilapia (ponds and cages) and/or African catfish (ponds). Production varies from 1- 5 tonnes/year. They lack affordable and high quality inputs, knowledge and capital. Segment II includes small-holders producing Nile tilapia (ponds and cages) and/or African catfish (ponds). Production varies from 6 to 40 tonnes/year. They have some degree of knowledge on farm management and some capital to invest. Access to affordable and high quality inputs is problematic. Segment III consists of small-holders with higher education and on-job-skills. Production varies from 41 to 50 tonnes/year. They import high quality feed and have access to family capital. Their business is expanding and they will soon be medium-scale farmers. Opportunities for development support consist of better coordination and an integrated approach within a new aquaculture platform in which lead-farmers train farmers via a training-of trainers approach. The platform should concentrate on segment I and II farmers; they urgently need better feed, improved knowledge, skills and access to capital. Segment II farmers need better local feed of affordable prices and improved knowledge and skills for farm management. Models to link farmers to markets and support services include cluster farming (joined buying of inputs and distribution), aquaparks (improved production infrastructure) and empowering investors with access to capital and organised markets.

Wageningen University and Research centre en Aquacultuur Experience hebben in juni 2015 een aquacultuur studie afgerond in opdracht van de Nederlandse ambassade in Accra, Ghana. Het doel van deze studie was om de haalbaarheid in kaart te brengen voor het formuleren en opzetten van één of meer publiek-private Samenwerkingsprojecten voor aquacultuur in Ghana.