Ghana and Norway are joining forces to advance the development of on-farm fish feed using locally available ingredients, aligning with Ghana’s ambitious Aquaculture Development Plan. The plan sets a goal to elevate the country’s fish farming output from 89,376 tonnes to an impressive 211,697 tonnes by the end of 2028, reflecting a remarkable growth of 136%.
Mrs. Mavis Hawa Koomson, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, unveiled this vision during the 39th National Farmers’ Day Celebration in Tarkwa, Western Region. The plan underscores the importance of providing high-quality, affordable feed to all fish farmers, leveraging the rich sources of fish feed ingredients within the country.
The collaboration with Norway is anticipated to be pivotal in achieving this goal, offering innovative solutions to enhance the national aquaculture output. Mrs. Koomson emphasized that these efforts would significantly reduce the cost of producing cultured fish, ultimately boosting profit margins for fish farmers.
While locally produced and imported feeds are available, the expense often deters small pond farmers, leading them to resort to self-formulated feeds, noted Mrs. Koomson.
In addition to the collaboration with Norway, the government has taken positive steps, such as implementing trawl gear specifications to curb the catching of juvenile and small pelagic fish by industrial trawlers. To address the decline in fish populations and bridge the gap between demand and supply, a three-year moratorium on new canoe entrants has been imposed, subject to annual review, to tackle fleet overcapacity and relieve pressure on fisheries resources.
Ghana is also implementing comprehensive solutions, including the construction of the National Aquaculture Centre and Commercial Farms. These facilities will provide training in various aspects of aquaculture, including production, farm management, fish health, feed formulation, and processing.
Speaking on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the awards ceremony, Vice-President Alhaji Dr Bawumia outlined the government’s commitment to ensuring food security in the country. The event, held under the theme “Delivering Smart Solutions for Food Security and Resilience,” recognized the pivotal role of farmers and fishermen in the Ghanaian economy. Charity Akortia was named the 2023 National Best Farmer and received a one million Ghana Cedis cash prize, alongside other awardees in various categories.