Fishermen are learning about farming around Lake Albert
East of Lake Albert oil production is on the rise. In this Ugandan region, the British oil company Tullow Oil sponsors a programme of Trias that supports, besides farmers, also the fishermen.
Around Lake Albert crops like tomatoes, watermelon and oranges can thrive perfectly.
Fishing on Lake Albert is under severe pressure due to overfishing. The legislature imposes the use of larger meshes so that small fish no longer get caught in the nets. That way, they can reach maturity and spawn. A noble initiative, but for many of the fishermen it is financially impossible to invest in nets that meet the legal requirements.
“That is why it is important that these fishermen can tap into alternative income sources. Switching to agriculture is an interesting track”, according to Trias advisor Mirjam Ssenyonga. The switching fishermen are learning a lot from Hodfa, a farmers’ organization which Trias has already been cooperating with in the west of Uganda. Advisors teach the fishermen to make rational analysis, in which the return of fishery is compared to the potential revenue of agricultural and horticultural crops.
“Around Lake Albert crops like tomatoes, watermelon and oranges can thrive perfectly”, Ssenyonga knows. Switching to cattle breeding also offers lots of opportunities. The local population already has some experience with goats. “Because of the influx of oil workers the local demand for meat has risen as well. Big challenges lie in the breeding of more profitable goat breeds and the building of fences, otherwise the stray goats will strip all the horticultural crops”, the Trias employee explains.
The role of Trias in this story? “We strengthen Hodfa, so their advisors can guide the fishermen in making realistic business plans. This is important, because ultimately it will be the fishermen that will decide the path they will follow”, stresses Ssenyonga. Moreover, good business plans will open doors at Hofokam, another Ugandan partner of Trias, which provides micro credits to small farmers.