AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT IN OROMIA: DISTRIBUTION, STATUS, AND CHALLENGES OF FISH PONDS

Background: Aquaculture in the Oromia region has expanded over the past two decades, aiming to address food insecurity, enhance diets with reliable protein sources, and promote economic growth through sustainable fish farming. Despite significant challenges, including low fish production, the study assessed the distribution, status, and challenges of stocked fish ponds. Methods: Data were collected from the Oromia Agricultural Office, Zonal offices, and site visits. These secondary and primary data were summarized and interpreted to analyze the status, identify the challenges and suggest the solutions. Results: The region hosts over 1,119 fish ponds, with 227 (20.3%) in the Jimma Zone. Analysis of 272 ponds showed 73.53% were subsistence-sized (101-400 m²), 19.85% narrow (≤ 100 m²), and 6.8% large-scale (above 1000 m²), with no small-scale types (400-1000 m²). The surveyed ponds spanned altitudes from 1,098 to 2,640 meters above sea level, with fish being cultured within this altitude range in the region. Stocked species included Oreochromis niloticus (48.2% monoculture), Clarias gariepinus (1.2% monoculture), and a mix of the two species with Cyprinus carpio (31.3% polyculture). Of the 83 ponds visited, 16 (19.3%) were dried out. Fish were harvested at least once from 69.9% of ponds, while 13.3% were not harvested, and 19.3% collapsed. Major challenges identified were water shortages, shallow pond depth, improper design and management, lack of knowledge, and shortages of nets and feed. Conclusions and recommendations: Fish production from aquaculture ponds in the Oromia region is limited due to gaps in knowledge, skills, technical capabilities and inputs. It is recommended to train farmers on aquaculture management, provide design guidance for fish pond construction, conduct expert monitoring, and have the government facilitate the availability of necessary inputs.