Potentials and Challenges of Smallholder Fish Farming in Ethiopia: The Case of South West and West Showa Zones, Oromiya, Ethiopia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the potentials and challenges of promotion of smallholder fish farming based on the experiences of south west and West Shewa zones of Oromia region. Therefore, primary data were generated using both rapid appraisal methods mainly based on focus group discussion (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KII) in addition to formal survey using pre-tested questionnaire from randomly selected 34 Smallholder fish farming households. The data was summarized using mainly descriptive and approaches. Cost of fish feed, lack of awareness, extension and advisory services, lack of relevant expertise and private investment had been identified as challenges for the development of small scale fish farming in the study areas. Therefore, further gender disaggregated trainings based on their responsibility should be given to create awareness. Research centers should take full package technologies and try to do on farm evaluation before releasing to individual users. To involve private sectors in this sub-sector and also to encourage farmers the government should develop aquaculture stimulus package which will create various actors along the value chain.