Rwanda constructs fish research center to reduce imports

RWANDA – Rwanda is building a national research and breeding center in Nyamagabe District, Southern Province, aimed at increasing local fish production and cutting down on reliance on imports. 

The facility, spearheaded by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Board (RAB), will specialize in producing high-quality broodstock to support domestic aquaculture.

According to Solange Uwituze, the Deputy Director General in charge of animal resources development at RAB, the new center will focus on providing genetically improved fish species and ensuring local hatcheries receive reliable broodstock supplies. 

The facility is projected to produce between 1 million and 3 million broodstock annually, contributing to efforts to reduce disease risks associated with importing fish.

The research center will also prioritize aquaculture studies and genetic advancements in local fish species. 

This initiative aligns with Rwanda’s larger goal of promoting sustainable fish farming practices, including expanding cage fish farming techniques. 

Certified private hatcheries and cooperatives are expected to benefit significantly from the project, gaining access to fingerlings and enhanced farming support.

Rwanda’s National Aquaculture Strategy aims to achieve aquaculture-based fish production of 80,620 tonnes annually by 2035. 

This is expected to address food security challenges while driving economic growth.

In 2022, Rwanda remained heavily dependent on fish imports, spending US$81,720 on fresh or chilled fish fillets, primarily sourced from Norway, Uganda, Tanzania, Denmark, and China. 

During the same year, the country imported frozen fish fillets valued at US$3.99 million, with China, Tanzania, Oman, Uganda, and Kenya being the key suppliers. 

In total, fish fillet imports reached US$4.15 million, ranking Rwanda as the 93rd largest importer globally.

Rwanda also imported US$9.67 million worth of dried fish in 2022, with the primary trading partners being Tanzania, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, China, and South Korea. 

Additionally, the top suppliers of frozen fish included countries like Japan, Korea, Oman, Vietnam, India, and Poland.

The new research facility aims to reduce the financial and environmental costs associated with such imports by strengthening domestic fish production capacities.

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