The state of commercial fish farming in Rwanda

Rwanda's commercial fish farming sector is showing promising growth as the country strives to increase its fish production and become more self-sufficient. Charles Montel, the owner of Kivu Tilapia Farm, spoke to CNBC Africa about the current state of the industry in Rwanda. Despite facing challenges such as the need to import fish feed and raw materials for production, there is optimism about the sector's potential to flourish. With the right investments, policy frameworks, and technological advancements, Rwanda could further boost its fish farming industry. Montel highlighted the positive growth in fish production in Rwanda, noting that both his farm and other players in the sector have seen promising increases in output. While Rwanda is not yet at the level of major fish farming countries like Ghana, Zambia, and Uganda, there is a clear upward trajectory in production. One key challenge facing smallholder farmers in Rwanda is the limited availability of local fish feed, which often necessitates costly imports. Large-scale fish farms like Kivu Tilapia Farm can more easily import feed containers, but the process can be cumbersome and expensive for smaller players. The issue of self-sufficiency in fish production was also raised, with Montel pointing out that Rwanda has the necessary water bodies and favorable conditions to achieve this goal. Lake Kivu, in particular, offers significant potential for increasing local fish production. However, the key to reaching self-sufficiency lies in having affordable and quality fish feed available within Rwanda. Currently, efforts are being made to boost local production of fish feed to reduce dependency on imports. In terms of policy frameworks, Montel praised the Rwandan government for its support and commitment to developing the fish farming sector. He noted that the conducive environment in Rwanda has been instrumental in the growth of commercial fish farming. Recommendations for further growth include increasing local production of essential raw materials like soy and maize to enhance the supply chain and efficiency of feed production. Regarding technological advancements, Montel highlighted the advanced level of technology being utilized in Rwanda's fish farming sector. The adoption of cage farming in water bodies like Lake Kivu has enabled high yields of fish production per cubic meter. This efficient method allows for significant fish production without occupying land that could be used for other agricultural activities. While there is room for further technological improvements, such as implementing automated systems and artificial intelligence, the current level of technology in Rwanda's fish farming industry is already quite advanced. In conclusion, Rwanda's commercial fish farming sector is on a positive growth trajectory, with opportunities for further expansion and self-sufficiency. By addressing challenges related to fish feed supply, enhancing policy frameworks, and continuing to embrace technological innovations, Rwanda's fish farming industry has the potential to thrive and contribute significantly to the country's food security and economic development.