fish

Fish Pond

Fish pond

The purpose of fish farming is the increase of production to meet the needs of the population, within the framework of efforts aimed at ensuring food security.

A farmer who wishes to initiate fish farming needs fish pond (s), a reliable source of water, juvenile fish ( fingerlings) to stock the pond and fish feed to start.

By 2020, the Rwandan population is expected to be around 16 million and the needs in fish production will be 112,000MT per annum so that Rwanda can reach the average sub-Saharan per capita consumption of 6.6kg/person/year and 265,600 MT to reach the global average of 16.6kg/person/year.

Rwanda has got 17 aquaculture stations ( Rwasave, Kigembe, Runyinya, Rushashi, Ruli, Nkungu, Ngarama, Rusumo, Cyamutara, Muko, Bwafu, Ndorwa, Kazabe, Mabanza, Kivumu, Karengera and Nyamishaba). Rwanda has got an extensive hydrological system characterized by a dense network of lakes, rivers and wetlands which feed into two major drainage basins: Nile to the East and Congo to the West. About 8% of the entire country (210,000 Ha) is covered by water. Lakes occupy about 128,000 ha, rivers about 7,260 Ha, while water in wetlands and valleys occupy about 77,000 Ha ( Master Plan for fisheries and Fish farming in Rwanda).

1. FISH PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

1. 1. FISH POND FARMING: it involves concentration of fish in production units in suitable watersheds which are well supplied in water with appropriate environment.

1.1. Construction of a fish pond

  • The construction of fish pond must take into account the altitude, type of soil ( mainly clay soil), quantity and quality of available water;
  • Construction of water canal
  • Surface: at least 5 (20x25 m)
  • Depth of water at the entry: between 40 and 60 cm and at the point of draining 1,10-1,20 m
  • Period of construction works: January-February, June-July

1. 2. Stocking the pond:

  • Liming the pond: before stocking the pond, lime is applied to reduce the soil acidity and kill harmful micro-organisms (18-25kg/are)
  • Filling the pond with water,
  • Fertilizing the pond ( organic manure on 10% of the pond area: 20-25 kg/are),
  • Stocking/Density/ 2-4 fish per m².
  • Stocking period: March, September
  • In Rwanda, used fish species are:

1.3. Fish pond Management

  • Duration of the cycle: 6-8 months
  • Feeding fish throughout the farming period
  • Composting of the pond up to 10% of total surface - from 20 to 50 kg of manure/are and per week
  • Control water level
  • Harvest- complete emptying of the pond, sell large fish and restock the pond with small ones (February, August)
  • Maintain water supply canal,
  • Rehabilitate pond walls when necessary,
  • Productivity: 20 to 40 kg /are.