The project, which is being implemented in conjunction with FERDSULT Engineering Services Ltd, was launched on Saturday at Saaka Crater Lake in Kicwamba Sub-county.

 

The Kabarole LC5 chairperson, Mr Richard Rwabuhinga, said the project would cost Shs20 billion.

 

Mr Rwabuhinga said the project would create employment opportunities for a number of people, including those living around the crater lakes.

 

Increase in fish production, he said, would boost district revenue.

 

Mr Richard Asiimwe, the FERDSULT project coordinator, said a research was carried on 20 crater lakes in Kabarole and they were found suitable for fish farming.

 

The company will in the first phase restock Mwamba, Kifuruka, Bikoni, Kigere and Kanjago lakes. Mr Asiimwe said FERDSULT has so far replenished 500,000 tilapia, adding that their target is 10 million.

 

He said local farmers would be given opportunity to supply the needed fish. He said research discovered that people have misused the lakes through using illegal fishing gear.

 

Mr Andrew Alio, the assistant commissioner for fish farming in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, said Kabarole would be a model since this is the first initiative in the country.

 

"There is need to restock the water bodies with fish. We have 18 factories, eight of them have so far closed, others work on part-time because there is no fish," he said.

 

He said the ministry would provide training and facilitate the monitoring of the project.

 

Source : allafrica.com