Fishpond farmers are calling on the government to partner them set up mini-mills to produce fish feed in selected production zones.

Officials of the Ghana National Association of Fish Pond Farmers say fish feed prices constitute over 70 percent of the production cost in fish farming.

They say the cost of feed, coupled with other challenges confronting the sector, is impeding the industry’s progress.

 “Prices of imported feed and those produced locally are unstable thereby offsetting frequently the plans of fish farmers,” National Chairman, Jacob Ainoo-Ansah, said at a press conference after the association’s second-quarter meeting held in Kumasi.

Small-scale fish farmers face the brunt high cost of feed more because of a lack of economies of scale.

The Association also revealed that sources of fish feed are distant from the location of small-scale fish farmers and when they access it they are unable to produce in large volumes.

Mr Ainoo-Ansah says setting up mini-mills in producing areas is the way to go to address the challenge and enhance the trade.

“This can be in the form of support from the government towards hire purchase arrangement for individuals or groups.\"

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development’s annual fish production target is set as high as 100,000 metric tons.

Current production levels are around 38,000 metric tons, just above one-third of the annual target.

Source: // Original Article