Fishery Expanding in GERD and Other Parts of Ethiopia

Addis Ababa December 28/2024 (ENA)— Fishery is being significantly scaled up in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and other parts of the country, Agriculture State Minister Fikru Regassa revealed.

 In an exclusive interview with the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), the State Minister discussed advancements in fish production and related activities.

Although Ethiopia possesses abundant resources and favorable conditions for aquaculture, the sector has been neglected, he noted, adding that the sector is now receiving renewed focus and support to boost both production and productivity.

Fikru stated that the government is actively implementing policies, strategies, and directives designed to strengthen the nation's capacity for producing substantial quantities of high-quality fish products.

This has spurred the widespread expansion of fish farming operations in the GERD and other parts of the country.

 

According to him, the Ministry of Agriculture has set a target of distributing 9.2 million fish fingerlings across various regions this Ethiopian fiscal year and is actively working towards meeting the goal.

To date, 4.5 million fingerlings have been distributed, with ongoing efforts to further accelerate this progress.

“Our strategic approach involves maximizing the utilization of existing water bodies by stocking them with fingerlings and establishing efficient systems for harvesting and marketing the fish,” the state minister elaborated.

“Furthermore, we are promoting the creation of fishponds in backyards and on farms, thereby enabling both pastoralists and farmers to participate in aquaculture. Consequently, we have already distributed approximately 4.5 million of the 9.2 million fingerlings targeted for distribution.”

Fikru pointed out the significant progress made in fish farming, particularly at the GERD, noting that 56 tons of fish had been harvested two weeks ago.

“A key development this year is the ongoing work at the Renaissance Dam. Approximately two weeks ago, 56 tons of fish, a single fish weighing up to 70 kilograms, were harvested from the GERD by organized youth groups participating in the process. To facilitate this, the ministry has procured and provided specialized fingerling transport vehicles to ensure the safe and timely delivery of fingerlings from hatcheries to water bodies across the regions.”

Ethiopia has substantial potential for large-scale fish production and extensive efforts are underway to develop the necessary supporting infrastructure, the state minister added.

In this regard, work has commenced at the Sebeta Agricultural Research Center to initiate the distribution of mono-sex (all-male) fish fingerlings.

 

“In collaboration with the Sebeta Agricultural Research Center, we are piloting mono-sex fish fingerling distribution technology in Ethiopia. We are on the verge of commencing the distribution of approximately 80 percent male fingerlings. This targeted approach, focusing on male fingerlings which are desirable for their superior meat yield, will minimize competition for food within the ponds, promote faster growth to larger sizes, and ultimately lead to a more abundant harvest of high-quality fish meat. This is an ongoing initiative that we are currently expanding.”

Fikru concluded by encouraging greater participation from private investors in the sector to further accelerate and enhance its development beyond current government initiatives.