ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia is working hard on producing 120,000 tons of fish per year employing technology and increasing public awareness, Ethiopian Agriculture Research Institute (EARI) disclosed.
EARI Fish and Aquatic Research Center Director and Senior Researcher Asechalew Lakew (PhD) told The Ethiopian Herald that the institute is carrying out various activities to maximize the fish production and productivity.
As to Asechalew, Ethiopia has a potential of producing an average of 94,500 tons of fish per year, according to a research conducted 2014. However, this number estimated to increase 120,000 ton fish due to persist of grand projects like Abbay dam .
He further stated that Ethiopia has some 200 fish species whilst merely seven species for consumption. In this regard, Gambella State has 20 fish species that are being available to commercial purpose.
Asechalew also said that the fish production can be obtained from water bodies such as rivers, lakes and dams as well as from artificial fish farming. Hence the institute is providing awareness creation for the farming community about how to develop fish products in a sustainable manner.
“Compared to East African countries, Ethiopian towards fish development and edibility culture is low. For instance, Kenya and Uganda have better fish consumption than Ethiopia. Of course, Ethiopian fish product is exported to Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) though the country imported from different countries,” he added.
He noted that the institute in collaboration with other sectors such as ministry of agriculture (MoA) is working hard to ensure fish resource development and obtain adequate benefit from the sector.
BY MESERET BEHAILU
The Ethiopian herald May 4/2024
