PROMOTION OF SEMI-INDUSTRIAIL AND COMMERCIAL AQUACULTURE: THE STRATEGY OF GOVERNMENT OF GHANA FAO Regional Workshop on Rice and Aquaculture for Productivity.

PROMOTION OF SEMI-INDUSTRIAIL AND PROMOTION OF SEMI-INDUSTRIAIL AND COMMERCIAL AQUACULTURE: THE COMMERCIAL AQUACULTURE: THE

STRATEGY OF GOVERNMENT OF GHANASTRATEGY OF GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

FAO Regional Workshop on Rice and Aquaculture for Productivity FAO Regional Workshop on Rice and Aquaculture for Productivity Increase and Market Development in East AfricaIncrease and Market Development in East Africa

Kampala, UgandaKampala, Uganda13 – 17 April, 2009 13 – 17 April, 2009

D.J.A. SACKEY AND HANNAH NYAMEKYE D.J.A. SACKEY AND HANNAH NYAMEKYE

……..THE STRATEGY OF GOVERNMENT OF ..THE STRATEGY OF GOVERNMENT OF

GHANAGHANA IntroductionIntroduction

• Aquaculture recently adopted in Ghana to Aquaculture recently adopted in Ghana to breach deficit gap in Ghana.breach deficit gap in Ghana.

• In 2004 only 68.1% of fish requirement was In 2004 only 68.1% of fish requirement was met through domestic production and imports.met through domestic production and imports.

• Major sp farmed is Tilapia (80%). Major sp farmed is Tilapia (80%).

• Minor sp are catfish and Heterotis niloticus Minor sp are catfish and Heterotis niloticus (20%).(20%).

• Fisheries (Aquaculture inclusive) very important Fisheries (Aquaculture inclusive) very important sector in National Development sector in National Development

……..THE STRATEGY OF GOVERNMENT OF ..THE STRATEGY OF GOVERNMENT OF GHANAGHANA• It contributes 4.5% of total GDP (Aquaculture It contributes 4.5% of total GDP (Aquaculture

inclusive) and 5% of GDP in agriculture.inclusive) and 5% of GDP in agriculture.• 75% of fish harvested is consumed locally.75% of fish harvested is consumed locally.• Per capita consumption estimated at 23kg/yr.Per capita consumption estimated at 23kg/yr.• Fish production from Aquaculture estimated Fish production from Aquaculture estimated

at 3256.67 tonnes for 2007 worth US$9.77 at 3256.67 tonnes for 2007 worth US$9.77 million.million.

• Aquaculture sub sector comprises largely Aquaculture sub sector comprises largely small-scare subsistence farmers small-scare subsistence farmers

• Sector lacked organization to take up Sector lacked organization to take up challenges of providing inputs such as fish challenges of providing inputs such as fish seed and feed to support development of the seed and feed to support development of the industry.industry.

……..THE STRATEGY OF GOVERNMENT OF ..THE STRATEGY OF GOVERNMENT OF GHANAGHANA

• Commercial fish farming is a recent development Commercial fish farming is a recent development in Ghana. Most commercial establishment are in Ghana. Most commercial establishment are going in for cage culture (which is more going in for cage culture (which is more productive).productive).

• Several laws regulate and government the Sector.Several laws regulate and government the Sector.• Government Institution responsible for Fisheries Government Institution responsible for Fisheries

and Aquaculture policy development is and Aquaculture policy development is Directorate of Fisheries of the Ministry of Agric. Directorate of Fisheries of the Ministry of Agric. (The immediate past government created a new, (The immediate past government created a new, separate Ministry of Fisheries) separate Ministry of Fisheries)

• Water Research Institute is mandated to carry out Water Research Institute is mandated to carry out aquaculture research aquaculture research

• Import of farmed fish (Tilapia) is prohibited to Import of farmed fish (Tilapia) is prohibited to promote the industry.promote the industry.


History and General OverviewHistory and General Overview• Fish farming started in 1953.Fish farming started in 1953.• After independence in 1957 government After independence in 1957 government

adopted a policy to develop fishponds adopted a policy to develop fishponds within all irrigation schemes in the country. within all irrigation schemes in the country. 5% of the scheme for fish farms.5% of the scheme for fish farms.

• Between 1990 and 2007 fingerling Between 1990 and 2007 fingerling production improved tremendously.production improved tremendously.

• Presently a farm is totally devoted to all Presently a farm is totally devoted to all male-fingerlings production.male-fingerlings production.

• All male tilapia culture is becoming All male tilapia culture is becoming widespread.widespread.

• Fish was produced mainly from ponds but Fish was produced mainly from ponds but cage culture has steadily overtaken it.cage culture has steadily overtaken it.


• No marine or brackish water aquaculture No marine or brackish water aquaculture establishment in the country.establishment in the country.

• All commercial operators grow O. niloticus.All commercial operators grow O. niloticus.• Small-scale farmers culture other species in addition.Small-scale farmers culture other species in addition.• Number of commercial operators grew from five to Number of commercial operators grew from five to

more than ten in last four years. ( three of whom are more than ten in last four years. ( three of whom are women). They practice intensive fish farming.women). They practice intensive fish farming.

• Feed fish with balance diet some of which they Feed fish with balance diet some of which they prepare. The rest of feed imported or bought from prepare. The rest of feed imported or bought from local producers.local producers.

• Currently a company is putting up a factory in the Currently a company is putting up a factory in the country to produce fish feed for sub regional market.country to produce fish feed for sub regional market.


• Human ResourceHuman Resource

• More than 1,300 small scale farmers in the More than 1,300 small scale farmers in the country who manage over 1,500 ponds country who manage over 1,500 ponds across the country.across the country.

• Limited extension officers across the Limited extension officers across the country. Universities turning out a lot of country. Universities turning out a lot of graduates in present time to breach the gap.graduates in present time to breach the gap.

• Commercial farms employ close to 700 Commercial farms employ close to 700 workers. workers.


Cultured speciesCultured species

• Various species are framed by small scale farmers e.g. Various species are framed by small scale farmers e.g. clarias sp, heterotis and Tilapia.clarias sp, heterotis and Tilapia.

• Commercial farmers major on niloticus ( genetically Commercial farmers major on niloticus ( genetically improved tilapia used) Gimproved tilapia used) G

• Molluses, crustaceans and plant not cultured in Ghana. Molluses, crustaceans and plant not cultured in Ghana.

Cultured systemsCultured systems• Intensive, semi-intensive and extensive systems practiced.Intensive, semi-intensive and extensive systems practiced.• Intensive system fast taking root.Intensive system fast taking root.• Intensive (commercial farmers) produce their own Intensive (commercial farmers) produce their own

fingerlings and sell surplus.fingerlings and sell surplus.


ProductionProduction

• DOF 2007 data estimated aquaculture DOF 2007 data estimated aquaculture production at 3,256.67 tonnes worth production at 3,256.67 tonnes worth $9.77million. $9.77million.

• The largest farm in the country produced The largest farm in the country produced over 3,000 tonnes of fish in 2009. The farm over 3,000 tonnes of fish in 2009. The farm sells about ten tonnes of fish a day. Its sells about ten tonnes of fish a day. Its hatchery produces 200,000 fry per week. hatchery produces 200,000 fry per week.


TRADE & MARKETTRADE & MARKET• Fish most important source of animal Fish most important source of animal

protein in Ghana.protein in Ghana.• Most important domestic markets and Most important domestic markets and

consumption centres are Accra, Kumasi, consumption centres are Accra, Kumasi, Tarkwa, Tema and Sekondi – Takoradi.Tarkwa, Tema and Sekondi – Takoradi.

• Farmed fish products nor fish seed are Farmed fish products nor fish seed are exported from Ghana. Demand exported from Ghana. Demand outweighs supply.outweighs supply.


Contribution to EconomyContribution to Economy

• Contribution of aquaculture to the national Contribution of aquaculture to the national economy normally concealed in contribution of economy normally concealed in contribution of fisheries.fisheries.

• 10% of population involved in fishing industry.10% of population involved in fishing industry.• Most farmers consider fish farming as a major Most farmers consider fish farming as a major

source of income.source of income.• Processing of fish provide jobs for families.Processing of fish provide jobs for families.• Ministry train gangs in pond construction and also Ministry train gangs in pond construction and also

pond management creating job for these people.pond management creating job for these people.

……..THE STRATEGY OF ..THE STRATEGY OF GOVERNMENT OF GHANAGOVERNMENT OF GHANAEfforts of Research Institutions and Efforts of Research Institutions and

UniversitiesUniversities• Water Research Institute (WRI) of Council Water Research Institute (WRI) of Council

for Scientific and Industrial Research has for Scientific and Industrial Research has demonstrated the efficacy of appropriate demonstrated the efficacy of appropriate for the production of tilapia (for the production of tilapia (O. niloticusO. niloticus) ) and mudfish (and mudfish (Clarias gaiepinusClarias gaiepinus).).

• Genetic selection of Volta Lake stock of Genetic selection of Volta Lake stock of O. niloticus for improved growth has been O. niloticus for improved growth has been carried out over two generations, so far.carried out over two generations, so far.


Efforts of Research Institutions and Efforts of Research Institutions and UniversitiesUniversities

• W.R.I. has helped in training farmers and W.R.I. has helped in training farmers and extension officers in the basics of fish extension officers in the basics of fish farming.farming.

• The Universities are also running The Universities are also running undergraduate courses with a high content of undergraduate courses with a high content of aquaculture. Currently, a sizeable number of aquaculture. Currently, a sizeable number of graduates are employed with the Directorate graduates are employed with the Directorate of Fisheries.of Fisheries.


Promotion and management of the sectorPromotion and management of the sector

• Government has taken steps to support and Government has taken steps to support and accelerate aquaculture development. These accelerate aquaculture development. These include:include:

• Free extension servicesFree extension services• Training in fish farm techniquesTraining in fish farm techniques• Local and foreign study tour for fish farmers Local and foreign study tour for fish farmers

and staff.and staff.• Training of youth gangs to construct pond so Training of youth gangs to construct pond so

as to reduce cost of pond construction.as to reduce cost of pond construction.


Promotion and management of the Promotion and management of the sectorsector

• Strengthening organizational capacity of Strengthening organizational capacity of fish farmers through training in book fish farmers through training in book keeping, group dynamics and the keeping, group dynamics and the preparation of business plans.preparation of business plans.

• Fingerling production for sale to farmers.Fingerling production for sale to farmers.• Strategic framework for aquaculture Strategic framework for aquaculture

development was launched in 2006 to development was launched in 2006 to ensure orderly development of the sector.ensure orderly development of the sector.

……..THE STRATEGY OF GOVERNMENT OF ..THE STRATEGY OF GOVERNMENT OF GHANAGHANAPromotion and management of the sectorPromotion and management of the sector

• Fisheries Policy document was also launched Fisheries Policy document was also launched in 2008in 2008

• An Aquaculture Implementation committee An Aquaculture Implementation committee has been established to facilitate approvals has been established to facilitate approvals required from several different ministries required from several different ministries and agencies.and agencies.

• Establishment of an aquaculture support Establishment of an aquaculture support fund was lunched in 2007.fund was lunched in 2007.

• There are foreign investment incentives.There are foreign investment incentives.


• Promotion and management of the sectorPromotion and management of the sector

• Ministry support fish farmers with input credit Ministry support fish farmers with input credit facility.facility.

• Since November 2005 over five hundred fish Since November 2005 over five hundred fish farmer have been trained locally.farmer have been trained locally.

• Trainees as well as non-trainees were given Trainees as well as non-trainees were given credit in the form of loan to construct ponds, credit in the form of loan to construct ponds, cages or pen. They are to finish paying in cages or pen. They are to finish paying in three years with one grace period. three years with one grace period.


Promotion and management of the Promotion and management of the sectorsector

• Ministry gave two Fish Farmers Ministry gave two Fish Farmers Associations D6 bull dozer and a back-hoe Associations D6 bull dozer and a back-hoe tractor respectively on hire purchase to tractor respectively on hire purchase to help construct ponds.help construct ponds.

• Prohibition of farmed fish imports.Prohibition of farmed fish imports.

• Government has hired two veterinarians Government has hired two veterinarians who have specialized in fish health.who have specialized in fish health.


ConclusionConclusion Ghana has adequate water, land, soil, agricultural Ghana has adequate water, land, soil, agricultural

inputs and, most importantly, indigenous fish inputs and, most importantly, indigenous fish species well suited to the development of a species well suited to the development of a vibrant and productive fish farming industry.vibrant and productive fish farming industry.

The government has placed a priority on the The government has placed a priority on the fisheries sector and the development of fisheries sector and the development of aquaculture is considered central. It is making aquaculture is considered central. It is making efforts to train its staff, to implement appropriate efforts to train its staff, to implement appropriate and supportive policies, to encourage investment and supportive policies, to encourage investment and to facilitate approval of permit.and to facilitate approval of permit.


THANK YOUTHANK YOU

Akpe Akpe

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PROMOTION OF SEMI-INDUSTRIAIL AND COMMERCIAL AQUACULTURE: THE STRATEGY OF GOVERNMENT OF GHANA FAO Regional Workshop on Rice and Aquaculture for Productivity.

Documents

strategy of government

feed fish

fish feed

fish production

commercial aquaculture

fisheries aquaculture

fish farms

fish seed