High Cost of Fish Feed Drives Kitgum Farmers Out of Aquaculture
By Okello Patrick | NGUNAGULU.COM
Kitgum, Uganda — Currently, the soaring cost of fish feed, combined with prolonged dry seasons, has pushed most fish farmers in Kitgum District out of aquaculture. As a result, local fish supply has dropped to critically low levels.
Majority of Fishponds Abandoned
According to district fisheries records, although more than 80 fish farmers are registered in Kitgum, only 15 remain active.
Consequently, officials estimate that about 85 percent of fishponds have been abandoned in recent seasons, thereby weakening the district’s aquaculture sector.
Feed Prices Make Aquaculture Unaffordable
Meanwhile, Alfred Omony, the Kitgum District Fisheries Officer, explained that the rising price of commercial fish feed has made fish farming increasingly unaffordable, especially for small-scale farmers.
“Currently, a kilogramme of quality fish feed costs about 4,500 shillings. Therefore, for many farmers, that cost is simply too high to sustain production,” Omony said.
In addition, he noted that farmers who resort to cheaper feed alternatives often face poor results.
“As a result, the fish take longer to mature and sometimes remain stunted, which ultimately discourages farmers from continuing,” he added.
Farmers Struggle With High Production Costs
Similarly, Sarah Aber, a fish farmer in Kitgum Municipality, said feed alone accounts for nearly 70 percent of total production costs.
“For instance, a 20-kilogramme bag costs around 80,000 shillings and it gets finished very fast. Eventually, you realize you are spending more than you earn,” she said.
Dry Seasons Worsen the Crisis
Beyond feed costs, climate change has further worsened the situation. Specifically, Sisto Okwera, a fish farmer from Ginnery West, explained that water levels in ponds drop sharply during the dry season.
“Usually, by February and March, the ponds dry up completely. As a result, I have to stop production and wait for the rains,” Okwera said.
Lack of Training Limits Local Feed Production
Although the district has acquired fish feed pellet-making machines, farmers say they lack the technical training needed to use them effectively.
“In other words, we have the machines, but we don’t know how to mix feeds to the right standards,” Okwera added.
Fish Shortage Pushes Prices Up
Consequently, the decline in local production has forced traders to import fish from Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga. As a result, fish prices have risen sharply to between 15,000 and 20,000 shillings per kilogramme.
Calls for Government Support
In response to these challenges, a December 2025 report by the Kitgum District Committee on Production urged increased farmer training, climate mitigation measures, and stronger government support.
Ultimately, the committee emphasized that such interventions are necessary to revive aquaculture and stabilize fish supply in the district.
http://Kitgum aquaculture struggles: pricey feed drives farmers out
