RWANDA – The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), in collaboration with experts from Orora Wihaze and WorldFish, has introduced Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for tilapia hatcheries as part of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) initiative.
This move aims to increase fish production in the country, as six new tilapia hatcheries have recently received certification.
RAB officials emphasised that implementing these SOPs marks a significant step towards enhancing Rwanda’s aquaculture industry.
This initiative aligns with the country’s broader objective of producing 80,000 metric tons of fish by 2035, a target in the National Aquaculture Strategy.
However, reaching this ambitious goal will require addressing various challenges, particularly the need for intensified production methods that come with increased disease risks.
RAB highlighted the importance of implementing effective management and control measures to overcome these challenges, ensuring that the growth of the aquaculture sector remains sustainable and that the market for aquaculture products continues to develop.
Adopting the SOPs is expected to improve the quality and reliability of hatchery production, contributing to a more sustainable and commercially viable aquaculture sector.
The Rwandan tilapia hatchery industry has grown significantly, expanding from a single government-run facility to a network of 12 private hatcheries supplying fingerlings to aquaculture farmers nationwide.
The Rwandan tilapia hatchery industry has witnessed impressive growth in recent years, evolving from a single government-operated facility to a network of 12 private hatcheries supplying fingerlings to aquaculture farmers.
This expansion, spanning from 2017 to 2024, highlights the sector’s increasing role in Rwanda’s economy.
At the same time, six tilapia hatcheries were certified by RAB and Orora Wihaze after meeting the rigorous SOP requirements for hatchery biosecurity.
The certified hatcheries include FINE FISH LTD, located in Rwamagana District; FRE FISH LTD, located in Rwamagana District; GISHANDA FISH FARM LTD, located in Kayonza District; LAKESIDE FISH FARM LTD, located in Bugesera District; KIVU CHOICE LTD, located in Gisagara District; and KIVU TILAPIA FARM LTD, located in Rusizi District.
At the certification ceremony, Dr. Jean Claude Ndorimana, Director General of Animal Resources Development at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, called on fish investors to continue improving hatchery operations.
He noted that enhancing fingerling production is crucial for increasing overall fish output in Rwanda, which stands at about 43,560 tonnes per year, according to a Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources report.
In 2023, RAB launched a program that will see workers in the country’s aquaculture industry trained on the much-needed practical skills.
The program dubbed farmer field school (FFS) was a step towards achieving the agriculture sub-sector’s goal to transition from subsistence to commercial aquaculture according to the country’s Vision 2050.
