Kitgum fish farmers get sh360m
Jul 01, 2010
MANJOLA Fish, Piggery and Poultry Project, a community-based organisation in Kitgum district, has received over sh360m from the United States Aid Agency (USAID).
By Wokorach-Oboi
MANJOLA Fish, Piggery and Poultry Project, a community-based organisation in Kitgum district, has received over sh360m from the United States Aid Agency (USAID).
The funds are to benefit 900 fish farmers from 22 farming groups in Kitgum, Lamwo and Pader districts.
A USAID official, Jacob Olwo, said part of the money would be used to construct fish ponds or rehabilitate existing ones, supply quality hatchlings and feeds to the farmers and to equip them with skills to manage the fish farms.
He said another sh10m had been set aside to construct a hatchery in Kitgum town, where the fingerlings would be produced and later distributed to the farmers. The project, which started in April, is to last two years.
Olwo explained that the project would enable the farmers to sustain themselves and produce quality fish for sale.
The project chairman, John Owana Okeny, told The New Vision that they would contribute sh327m in cash and in kind as part of their co-funding to the project.
He explained that some fish farmers used to go up to Entebbe to get feed and fingerlings. Okeny said the hatchery would be stocked with cat fish.
“Cat fish are more resistant to harsh environments Their growth rate is also good and they are easy to handle,†he noted.
MANJOLA Fish, Piggery and Poultry Project, a community-based organisation in Kitgum district, has received over sh360m from the United States Aid Agency (USAID).
The funds are to benefit 900 fish farmers from 22 farming groups in Kitgum, Lamwo and Pader districts.
A USAID official, Jacob Olwo, said part of the money would be used to construct fish ponds or rehabilitate existing ones, supply quality hatchlings and feeds to the farmers and to equip them with skills to manage the fish farms.
He said another sh10m had been set aside to construct a hatchery in Kitgum town, where the fingerlings would be produced and later distributed to the farmers. The project, which started in April, is to last two years.
Olwo explained that the project would enable the farmers to sustain themselves and produce quality fish for sale.
The project chairman, John Owana Okeny, told The New Vision that they would contribute sh327m in cash and in kind as part of their co-funding to the project.
He explained that some fish farmers used to go up to Entebbe to get feed and fingerlings. Okeny said the hatchery would be stocked with cat fish.
“Cat fish are more resistant to harsh environments Their growth rate is also good and they are easy to handle,†he noted.