Rwanda tries tilapia cage aquaculture

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, said te 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 feed, imported from Israel, will be placed afloat within the cage, which will be 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 feed is 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. Harvesting is expected in six months. The 10,000 fish imported weighing 30gms are expected to grow to 500gms within the six month period.

East African Business Week