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Challenges in the Era of Globalization - iaabd

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Proceed<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 12th Annual Conference © 2011 IAABD<br />

Abstract<br />

Pr<strong>of</strong>itability Analysis <strong>of</strong> Small Scale Aquaculture Enterprises <strong>in</strong> Central Uganda.<br />

Theodora S. Hyuha, thyuha@yahoo.com<br />

Department <strong>of</strong> Agribus<strong>in</strong>ess and Natural Resources, Faculty <strong>of</strong> Agricultural Sciences, Makerere,<br />

University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala Uganda.<br />

James O. Bukenya<br />

Alabama A&M University, Normal Alabama, USA<br />

Julius Tw<strong>in</strong>amasiko<br />

Department <strong>of</strong> Agribus<strong>in</strong>ess and Natural Resources, Faculty <strong>of</strong> Agricultural Sciences, Makerere,<br />

University, Kampala Uganda<br />

Joseph Molnar<br />

Auburn University, Auburn Alabama, USA.<br />

Fish farm<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> three countries surround<strong>in</strong>g Lake Victoria (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda) has received<br />

<strong>in</strong>creased attention follow<strong>in</strong>g reports <strong>of</strong> dw<strong>in</strong>dl<strong>in</strong>g fish stock <strong>in</strong> Lake Victoria. Over time, Lake Victoria’s fish<br />

production has been plummet<strong>in</strong>g as overfish<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> illegal and harmful fish<strong>in</strong>g methods and soar<strong>in</strong>g demand<br />

have overstretched <strong>the</strong> lake’s supply capacity. In an effort to manage this renewable but exhaustible resource,<br />

<strong>in</strong>ternational development agencies and advanced research <strong>in</strong>stitutes are promot<strong>in</strong>g aquaculture with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> context<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>tegrated agriculture and have begun address<strong>in</strong>g socio-cultural and economic factors that have been imped<strong>in</strong>g<br />

aquaculture development <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> region. This study <strong>in</strong>vestigated <strong>the</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>itability and socioeconomics <strong>of</strong> aquaculture<br />

<strong>in</strong> central Uganda. The paper draws on data collected through a random selection <strong>of</strong> 200 small scale fish farmers <strong>in</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> three major fish farm<strong>in</strong>g districts <strong>of</strong> Mpigi, Mukono and Wakiso dur<strong>in</strong>g 2009/2010 production season. The<br />

analysis was carried out us<strong>in</strong>g descriptive statistics, enterprise budget<strong>in</strong>g and l<strong>in</strong>ear regression model. Although <strong>the</strong><br />

results show small scale aquaculture to be a pr<strong>of</strong>itable enterprise <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> region, <strong>the</strong> estimated pr<strong>of</strong>it marg<strong>in</strong>s are<br />

relatively small. Harvested fish size, farm<strong>in</strong>g experience, fish price and volume <strong>of</strong> fish harvested are <strong>the</strong> most<br />

<strong>in</strong>fluential factors <strong>in</strong> expla<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g pr<strong>of</strong>itability <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> region. The major factors h<strong>in</strong>der<strong>in</strong>g aquaculture development <strong>in</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> region <strong>in</strong>clude predators, unavailability <strong>of</strong> credit facilities, expensive feeds, and shortage and poor quality <strong>of</strong><br />

f<strong>in</strong>gerl<strong>in</strong>gs.<br />

Introduction<br />

Fishery is one <strong>of</strong> Uganda’s most important renewable resources and <strong>of</strong> fundamental importance to <strong>the</strong><br />

population and economy. The fish sector makes a vital contribution to <strong>the</strong> food and nutritional security <strong>of</strong><br />

over 30 million people <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> country and it provides <strong>in</strong>come for approximately 4 million households<br />

engaged <strong>in</strong> fish production, process<strong>in</strong>g and trade (OECD, 2007). Fish currently ranks as Uganda’s<br />

highest non-traditional agricultural export earner and <strong>the</strong> considerable export revenues it generates plays<br />

an important role <strong>in</strong> advanc<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> development vision <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g country’s overall foreign exchange<br />

earn<strong>in</strong>g capability. The fish <strong>in</strong>dustry contributes about 3 percent to <strong>the</strong> country’s gross domestic product<br />

and generates over US$85 million <strong>in</strong> foreign exchange earn<strong>in</strong>gs (Bagumire, 2009; OECD, 2007).<br />

Uganda’s fisheries sector is comprised <strong>of</strong> both capture and culture (aquaculture) fisheries with <strong>the</strong> former<br />

contribut<strong>in</strong>g most <strong>of</strong> total production. The capture fishery is basically artisanal while aquaculture is<br />

primarily produced by farmers who practice fish farm<strong>in</strong>g as one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> many o<strong>the</strong>r farm<strong>in</strong>g activities<br />

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