Factors contributing to low fish production from earthen ponds :

Abstract

Fish farming using fish ponds has been practiced for the last ten years. However, several reports by fish farmers indicate low fish production from earthen ponds. This research was conducted to assess factors contributing to low fish production in earthen ponds in Loro Sub County in Oyam District from December 2021 to March 2022. The specific objectives of the study were: - To establish the current status of fish farming in Loro Sub County; To establish the fish productions/ yields from earthen ponds in Loro Sub County; To establish the challenges facing fish production from earthen ponds in Loro Sub County. The study was conducted through reviews of relevant literatures, production reports from the study area and the use of questionnaires which were administered to 50 existing fish farmers (both active and inactive farmers) selected through simple random sampling. The study established that the major challenges or factors contributing to low fish production in earthen ponds in Loro Sub County were; Predation and theft; Inadequate access to credits; Inadequate and high cost of feeds; Limited supply of fish fingerlings and Limited access to working tools. There is need to carry out massive mobilization, sensitization and training of fish farmers on modern fish farming practices; fencing of fish ponds for protection against predation and fish theft; promotion of low interest credit facilities with longer grace period; establishment of a fish feed mill; construction of a fish hatchery and building fish farmers groups the capacities.