The status and potential of small-scale aquaculture development in Southern Ethiopia

ABSTRACT The study was conducted to assess the status, trend and potential of small-scale aquaculture production and its use as food and income sources. The study also identified the major constraints affecting the development of aquaculture and suggested possible interventions for further research and extension services in the study areas. Data was collected from a total of 300 households and presented as descriptive statistics. The present study showed that 96.7% of the total respondents were used river and stream water to fill their ponds. The study also showed that 93.4% of fish farmers were involved in pond-based aquaculture production. Relatively higher numbers of fish farmers found in Gedeo Zone (95.5%) were involved in pond-based aquaculture than found in Sidama Region (87.2%). Across the study areas, 34.7% of the respondents reported that fish production trend is increasing. The study also showed that 72.7% of the respondents reported that the absence of technologies was the first ranked constraint affecting the development of small-scale aquaculture. In conclusion, the trend of small-scale aquaculture production is increasing due to the availability of potential water resources and good types of soil used for pond-based aquaculture development. The absence of aquaculture technologies, and lack of quality fingerlings are the most prominent constrains affecting the development of aquaculture. Therefore, capacity building through training, extension, and advanced education to fish rearing households and researchers and allocation resources are crucial for successful development of aquaculture in the study areas.