Rwanda Imports 10,000 Young Fish

By Daniel Karibwije, East African Business Week (Kampala)

Some 10,000 young tilapia weighing 30gms each are to be imported from Uganda to Rwanda.

This will be Rwanda's country's biggest fish cage pilot study, according to a leading Rwandan agronomist. The managing director of Genesis Ltd, Mr. Gil Nossan, an agricultural and livestock specialist told East African Business Week at his offices in Gikondo, Kigali last week that the fish cage study is pioneered by a private developer and will be undertaken in Lake Muhazi in the eastern province.

"We are in the process of importing 10 tonnes of fish feed for this pilot study with each tonne going for US$1,200. This is the best way to grow fish. Local people invest in fish ponds and harvest little. Fish ponds require a lot of power to mix the water and there is a problem of lack of oxygen," he said.

Nossan further explained that the aluminum cages will be inserted in the right spots of the lake. The water will mix naturally and thus provide oxygen in the cages. The fish feeds imported from Israel will be placed afloat within the fish cage that has two thirds submerged in water and a third above the water.

The fish feed is dropped periodically within the cage depending on the fish age and size. The feeds are routinely changed after two months.

A fish cage specialist working with USAID Uganda was recently in the country to ascertain the quality of the fish feed samples that were brought in and he gave the nod. The cages will act as breeding ground for fish and harvesting is expected in six months. The 10,000 fish imported weighing 30gms are expected to grow to 500gms within the six month period.