The government is seeking Rwf5.775 billion to boost fish production for the export and domestic markets in the next five years.

Analysts project that the country will increase fish production from the current 24,500 tonnes to 130,000 tonnes if the funds are provided.

Part of the money will be invested in developing a culture of eating fish in the country. Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Project developed to address the supply gaps by increasing production is also meant to encourage Rwandans to eat fish.

Fisheries experts said on average, a Rwandan eats only 4 grammes of fish a day — meaning a kilogramme of fish is shared by 250 people daily.

Comparatively in the region, a person consumes 18 grammes of fish daily, translating into 55 people sharing a kilogramme of fish.

The low consumption of fish has been blamed for slow development of the aquaculture sector in Rwanda as the few farmers in the country look at the hotels for supply contracts.

The prices of fish in Rwanda stagnated even as the feed costs are increasing.

A kilogramme of fresh tilapia, the common in the market fetches between Rwf2,500 and Rwf3,500, a price fish farmers say result in losses.

When the same fish is exported to Democratic Republic of Congo, it is sold at more than Rwf5,500, forcing dealers to export 70 per cent of the catch.

However, poor infrastructure coupled with the poor preservation methods result in high post-harvest losses.

“Rwandans are not best consumers of fish,” said Dr Wilson Rutaganira, co-ordinator of aquaculture and fisheries project at the Rwanda Agriculture Board.

He noted that improvement of local fish consumption through promotion, education and better fish distribution network were necessary.

Despite the expected increase in fish production, experts said Rwanda will continue importing fish for next five years.

“Fish importation especially from Uganda and Tanzania will continue to grow based on increasing local demand, and the need to sustain the fish export market,” a recent report indicated.

“Increasing fish consumption is aimed at contributing to the on-going efforts against malnutrition and as means of bringing Rwanda at par with the rest of the sub-Saharan Africa region,” the report seen by Rwanda Today reads.

The money to be invested in fish farming comes at a time studies have shown that the over fishing in lakes continues, resulting in suspension of fishing on Lake Kivu for the next two months.

“We usually close Lake Kivu for two months to allow fish breed— from September to October every year,” said Dr Rutaganira.