DRC – Efforts to enhance fish production in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), are advancing through a partnership between the African Development Bank (AfDB) and WorldFish. 

Recently, from September 4 to 17, 2024, a series of training sessions took place as part of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) aquaculture initiative, aimed at improving fish farming practices among local fish farmers and aquaculture service providers.

Launched in 2018, the TAAT aquaculture program aspires to double the productivity of crops, livestock, and fish across Africa by 2025. 

It aims to equip over 40 million small-scale farmers with essential skills and resources to enhance food production. 

The initiative is projected to yield an additional 120 million metric tons of food and lift 130 million people out of poverty.

The program employs a “twin strategy” approach that emphasizes scaling up productivity-enhancing technologies and fostering a supportive policy environment for farmers. 

This dual approach enables farmers to access and utilize advanced tools effectively within a conducive economic and regulatory landscape.

In South Kivu, the TAAT initiative has organized Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops to bolster the expertise of fish farmers and professionals engaged in vital aquaculture value chains. 

These training efforts are part of a broader initiative to develop the fish farming sector in the DRC.

With an estimated fish production potential exceeding 707,000 tons annually, the DRC benefits from an extensive system of rivers and lakes as well as favorable geographical conditions for aquaculture. 

The predominant fish species cultivated in the region include tilapia (60%), protopterus (10%), bagrus (10%), clarias (10%), barbus (5%), and various other species (5%). 

In South Kivu, fish are typically raised in fishponds averaging approximately 358.7 square meters.

Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE