National aquaculture plan for Ghana

Ghana’s National Aquaculture Development Plan (GNADP) has been unveiled with the aim of providing the capacity for fish farmers to increase production. The plan, launched by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), targets 100,000 tons of fish for the country by 2016.

 

The GNADP provides a road map where aquaculture will contribute significantly to food and nutritional security, employment generation, increased incomes, economic growth and poverty reduction.

The implementation of the five-year comprehensive medium term plan would cost a little over $84 million. Close to $66,000 would be contributed by the government while public investment takes care of remaining $18,000.

The plan, among other objectives, aims at providing a geographic information system involving an indicative mapping of high potential aquacultural areas where fish farming is feasible.

It is also expected to facilitate increased supply of high quality fish seed by the private sector to fish farmers in high priority aquaculture zones to be established.

Furthermore, it is expected to assist more fish farmers to access funds more easily on competitive terms for investment in aquaculture business.

When implemented, the plan is expected to increase the market share of commercial fish farming in Ghana from $28,440 in 2010 to an estimated $362,000 in 2016.

The current annual output from aquaculture is estimated at 10,200 tonnes as compared to an output of 1,000 tonnes in 2005; 3,800 in 2007 and 7,100 in 2009 respectively.

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This blog is written by staff at International Aquafeed Magazine which is published and supported by Perendale Publishers Limited. To get your copy of PPL's web application, 'PPLAPP' click here.