DOKOLO – Six farmer groups practicing aquaculture in Dokolo District have received support to construct fish ponds under the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project, in a move aimed at boosting food security and household incomes.
Bernard Otim, the District Fisheries Officer for Dokolo, confirmed that the beneficiaries include 2 groups from Kachung in Agwata Town Council, 1 from Amwoma Sub County, 1 from Alyecjuk in Agwata Sub County, and 2 from Dokolo Town Council.Otim said the total project cost is Shs 76.6 million.
Under the co-funding arrangement, government contributed 80% amounting to Shs 61.2 million, while each of the six groups contributed 20% totaling Shs 15.8 million.
“The groups have embraced fish farming and we expect them to manage the ponds well so that they benefit from the investment,” Otim said.
He appealed to other farmers in the district to embrace fish farming by digging fish ponds or dams to generate more income and fight poverty.
Tonny Omara, one of the beneficiaries from Acung-Apeny Cell, Kachung Western Ward in Agwata Town Council, said their group has five fish ponds measuring 50×20 meters each.
Omara noted that with proper management, they expect to harvest an estimated 35 tonnes of fish every six months.“The fish farming will help us generate income to fight poverty in our homes and community,” Omara said.
District officials say the Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project is designed to support farmers to adopt resilient and profitable enterprises that can withstand climate change impacts while improving livelihoods.
