Present study, ‘Strategic review on aquaculture seed supply’ in major countries
of Sub-Saharan Africa was carried out with a view to assess current situation
and study the scope. Information have been compiled from available published
and unpublished literature; and also collected via email communication with
key professional in each of the selected countries.
Study revealed that status of aquaculture is in its infant stage and so the fish
seed production and supply except in Egypt, Nigeria and Uganda. Tilapias
(Oreochromis sp.) and African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) dominate the
production. Tilapia farming has boomed in Egypt mainly because of success
mass-scale fry production through hormonal sex-reversal. Similarly, catfish
farming took off in Nigeria because of the policy support and encouragement
by the government that triggered mushrooming of small-scale catfish
hatcheries. However, in both the cases production scale and efficiencies are far
below the level which is commonly achieved in Asia. There are few success
stories in other countries; namely, Tropo Farm in Ghana, Maldeco in Malawai,
Lake Harvest in Zimbabwe, and a couple of them in Zambia. However, they all
produce seed by themselves and do not supply to others either.
In order to provide strong back-up for expansion of aquaculture (10% per
annum) as planned, at least 400 million high quality fish seed is required
which can be supplied by establishing four model commercial hatcheries in
four African countries. The model hatcheries should be established through
south-south cooperation facilitated by north. Each model hatchery will be
managed as a self-sustaining unit. More importantly, the model hatcheries
should serve as centre of excellence for the hatchery technology where many
more farmers and their groups should be trained. Gradually, seed nursing and
trading network should also be established or strengthen so that farmers
growing fish all of the country/continent get their services.