Browsing by Author "Molnar, Joseph J."

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    Development of Low-cost Captive Breeding and Hatching Technologies for the African Lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus and P. amphibius) to Improve Livelihoods, Nutrition, and Income for Vulnerable Communities in Uganda
    (Aquaculture Research and Development Center, 2015) Walakira, John; Boyd, Claude; Molnar, Joseph J.
    Culturing resilient species in the prevalent variable climate conditions will be beneficial to African aquaculture. Air breathing fish like the African lungfish (Protopterus sp.) will be desirable, but fish farmers lack aquaculture technologies to propagate and manage this fish. This report summarizes experimental results on diversity, breeding, and management of lungfish reared in aquaculture systems. Relatively higher survival and maturity rates were achieved when lungfish is kept in captivity. A novel SNP panel that will guide a comprehensive lungfish-breeding program is partially generated. Hermaphroditism in lungfish is first reported in this investigation study. These results will guide the generation low-cost technologies for propagating and producing cultured African lungfish to improve household nutrition, food security, and income. Consequently, natural stocks will be protected through this intervention.
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    Evaluation and Improvement of Production Technology in Uganda: Case Studies of Small-Holder Cage Culture in Watershed Reservoirs and as an Alternative Livelihood for Fishers
    (National Fisheries Resources Research Institute, 2011) Stutzman Jones, Emily; Molnar, Joseph J.; Atukunda, Gertrude; Walakira, John
    Aquaculture development commentary supports the formation of fish farmer associations or producer organizations as avenues for cultivating small- and medium-scale commercial farmers. However, little is known about the types of associations that facilitate commercialization. This research presents four qualitative case studies, based on semi-structured interviews, profiling existing associations of commercial fish farmers in Uganda. We conclude that the umbrella organizations under which local fish farmer associations vertically align themselves have important implications for fish farmer production. Aquaculture-specific umbrella organizations contribute to the success of local member associations more than general umbrella organizations do. Successful fish farmer associations accept government assistance only when it directly improves their fish farm operations. Other farmer groups seemed to wait for direct subsidization. Training fish farmers, providing quality information, cost sharing, and advocating for the aquaculture sector, not donor seeking, are the top priorities in productive fish farmer associations. Part I of this report summarizes the four case studies; Part II summarizes the results of the cage culture trials.
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    Implementing and Assessing Cell-Based Technical and Marketing Support Systems for Small and Medium-Scale Fish Farmers in Uganda
    (1National Fisheries Resource Research Institute (NaFIRRI), 2013) Matuha, Moureen; Omiat, Isaac; Molnar, Joseph J.; Atukunda, Gertrude; Walakira, John; Nabafu, Erina; Hyuha, Theodora; Boyd, Claude
    The rapid development of mobile technology, the increased penetration rates and the inherent characteristics of mobile phones are the reasons mobile phones are currently emerging as the fast widespread form of electronic communication system in African countries. Mobile phones can, therefore play a key role in disseminating relevant information to fish farmers in Uganda. This report summarizes critical aquaculture needs of the farmers, socio-demographic Characteristics of the farmers, most important anticipated benefits of the app, reviews, comments and suggestions on the design and structure of the aquaculture application. Majority of the participants appreciated the design of the prototype as well as its applications while a few of the participants requested that the look (design) of the app be improved. Information on mixing feeds and feeding, up-to-date fish market, pond management (water exchange, site selection, pond construction, infrastructure development, management, and stocking, input suppliers and buyers’ location, predator and health issue, success stories of farmers, booking keeping and fish farming videos were mostly needed by farmers. Respondents’ characteristics such as age, gender, and education level were found to be determinants of mobile phone type ownership. Thus, the developed Aqua-application can be used to achieve various activities involved in fish farming and be adopted by policy organizations and government agencies in their proposals on the usage of technology as a key driver towards aquaculture economic growth. However, to leverage the full potential of information dissemination enabled by the designed mobile App will require capacity building amongst farmers on how to effectively use the app, use of different local languages, scaling the app through fish farmers’ groups and awareness through different social media. Further work is needed to evaluate the usage and impacts of the app on aquaculture development and the livelihoods of farmers.
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    New Approaches to Inform, Motivate, and Advance Small and Mediums-scale Fish Farmers: Building Industry Capacity Through Cell Phone Networks, Training, and Market Participation
    (2National Fisheries Resources Research Institute, 2013) Molnar, Joseph J.; Matuha, Moureen; Boyd, Claude; Terhune, Jeff; Veverica, Karen; Walakira, John; Naigaga, Shamim; Hyuha, Theodora; Karuhanga, Monica
    Mobile phones can improve aquaculture productivity by increasing access to technical guidance, extension services, product assembly, input coordination, and price discovery for small- and mediumscale fish farmers. Data were obtained in five focused group interviews held across Uganda. The findings indicate that the use of mobile phones is common among fish farmers in Uganda. Majority of the farmers reported that their mobile phones were primarily used for purposes that improve social development and livelihoods. Many fish farmers report using mobile phones to acquire technical guidance, contact family members, and communicate with those who provide agricultural inputs and market information, which results into increased income. The study also highlighted that access to agricultural information has been widespread, but support is needed for disseminating information on market prices and fish production. At present, most farmers depend on the word of mouth to get information from extension officers and intermediary fish farmers, who are not always available when needed. Farmers prioritized information on pond management, feed broodstock and water quality management, stocking and harvesting, and, most importantly, market prices. Although farmers were also interested in other categories of information, such as fish diseases, seed variety, fish species to be cultured, etc., only a small sample prioritized them.
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    Water, Water Quality, and Pond Bottom Soil Management in Ugandan Aquaculture
    (National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI), 2013) Naigaga, Shamim; Boyd, Claude E.; Molnar, Joseph J.; Walakira, John
    Fisheries production from lakes and other natural waters in Uganda are declining and expansion of the aquaculture sector is needed to increase aquatic protein for human consumption. The present study was conducted to improve understanding of limitations imposed on aquaculture by the environmental factors of climate, soils, and water quality in Uganda. Although not optimum, the temperature regime in Uganda is conducive to year-around aquaculture in most areas. Rainfall is adequate to maintain water levels in ponds throughout the year in the Western, Eastern, and Central regions. In the Northern region, it would be necessary to store water in farm reservoirs to use for maintaining water levels during the driest months. There is a tendency towards drought in Uganda, and severe droughts could cause water shortages for aquaculture. Water quality was generally suitable in all four regions for fish production. The main limitation would be the need to lime ponds in some areas in all regions. Unfortunately, the liming materials available in the country are of poor quality, and the agricultural limestone currently used by fish farmers is particularly low in quality. There is an urgent need to find better sources of liming materials and begin an effort to promote liming in Ugandan aquaculture. The main limitations of soils for pond sites were coarse soil texture, steep terrain in some areas, and a widespread problem of low acidity. Of course, as in any country, each prospective pond site must be examined for its suitability. There also is cage culture in several lakes in Uganda; Lake Victoria and Lake Albert appear to be the best lakes in which to consider expansion of cage culture operations. In summary, there does not appear to be insurmountable environmental restrains to expanding aquaculture production in Uganda. The major issues relate to selecting good sites for ponds and to finding a source of good quality liming material.
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    Women in Uganda Aquaculture: Nutrition, Training, and Advancement
    (National Fisheries Resource Research Institute (NaFIRRI), 2013) Atukunda, Gertrude; Matuha, Moureen; Safina, Namatovu; Birungi, Dorothy; Walakira, John; Hyuha, Theodora; Fuuna, Peter; Abalo, Gertrude; Boyd, Claude; Molnar, Joseph J.
    The study used discussions and interviews with selected respondents to generate relevant information for training fish farmer groups and other actors involved in aquaculture. The trainings followed data collection so as to make sure that training focused on identified knowledge gaps among target groups. The study focused on selected districts in central and northern regions of Uganda. Purposive sampling was used to identify respondents. Supplementary information was obtained from interviews with members of fish farmer organizations. Findings revealed that women’s involvement in the various segments of the value chain performing different roles and activities individually or jointly with men. Factors such as land ownership, decision making over utilization of land, membership to producer and farmer groups, and access to production inputs and extension services influence women’s roles in the aquaculture value chain. Participation in farmer groups increases women’s opportunities but challenges prevail in the formation, organization and operations of the groups. In addition, specific production and marketing information needs, such as appropriate techniques of feeding fish, processing and marketing fish products to niche markets were noted as directly relevant in enhancing women’s role in aquaculture. Stakeholder understanding of the role of fish in child and maternal nutrition is wide and recognized among other key drivers to increasing aquaculture productivity.