The contribution of fish farming to the livelihoods of communities in Serere county.

Abstract

The study was carried out in Serere County in Serere district located in the eastern part of the district bordering Soroti district in the, south west, it targeted fish farming communities. Fish Farming is one of the economic activities done by farmers in different communities in the world, and Uganda as well. It is also a means of fighting poverty and food insecurity. Serere farmers too are engaged in fish farming. However, there is no documented information regarding how fish farming has helped communities to alleviate cases of poverty and food insecurity among fish farmers in Serere County. The study aimed at establishing the contribution of fish farming to improve livelihoods as well as playing a part in ensuring food security is guaranteed in the county. Besides, it also targeted establishing the factors that affects fish farming in the County. A survey was conducted and purposive sampling was employed and structured questionnaires were used as a tool for collecting data and the data was analyzed using SPSS 16.0 version and Microsoft excel. The research findings indicated that farmers had benefited from fish farming and it had contributed to their improved welfare, food security and health care among other benefits. It was also evident that despite the contribution fish farming had brought in to the communities, it had some hindrances such as no credit facilities, inadequate capital, inadequate extension services, and theft among others Basing on the findings it was evident that there was a positive relationship between fish farming and farmers’ welfare as reflected in their standards or living. However, the study recommends that the local authorities need to support farmers by-providing extension workers at each sub county to be able to provide adequate-technical advice to farmers, loans with subsidized interest should be, provided to farmers to favor agro based enterprises