Uganda: Strengthening Commercial Aquaculture (SCA)

Project Background:

With funding from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, via their Embassy in Kampala (EKN), this four (4) year program aims to unlock the potential of Uganda’s aquaculture sector for small, medium and large-scale operators (targeting both cage and land-based pond subsectors). The SCA program will catalyse sustainable aquaculture sector development by addressing key constraints along the value chain. Targeted interventions will foster an enabling environment for innovation, investment, and equitable growth, through market-driven, resilient, and inclusive approaches. The program will adopt a partnership approach, leveraging the expertise of Ugandan and Dutch stakeholders, public and private sector actors, and knowledge institutions. Special emphasis will be placed on gender and youth inclusion, environmental sustainability, and the empowerment of small-and-medium-scale commercial fish farmers, whilst meeting the needs of existing large-scale actors in the sector. Activities will be structured to ensure systemic impact and sustainability beyond the program’s duration.

Objectives:

Goal: To catalyse sustainable aquaculture sector development through enhanced private sector engagement, improved access to quality inputs, markets and suitable financial products.

The SCA program comprises five (5) objectives, also serving as program components: 

1. Improving access to quality inputStrengthening training & capacity building across the value chain
2. Supporting efficient fish distribution & post-harvest handling
3. Expanding access to finance for investment
4. Strengthening Enabling environment to address barriers to sustainable aquaculture

At the outcome level, the program seeks to strengthen the business climate and the financial sector (Private Sector Development), as well as improve the performance, sustainability and resilience (productivity and incomes) of smallholder farmers (Food and Nutrition Security).

Activities:

(to be finalised during inception)

Component 1 (Access to quality inputs

• Breeding programs to improve genetic quality of indigenous species.
• R&D supporting collaboration between Ugandan and Dutch input suppliers.
• Operationalize hatchery and fingerling production.
• Facilitate partnerships for local production/ distribution of quality inputs

Component 2 (Training & capacity building across the value chain)

• Develop/ review existing vocational curriculum and training program
• Provide tailored training in cage farming on cage BAP
• Establish demonstration farms and learning Hubs
• Rice field conversion pilot in the Eastern region

Component 3 (Fish distribution & post-harvest handling)

• Upgrade cold chain infrastructure within aggregation and collection centres
• Provide tailored training to downstream value chain actors in best practices
• Develop/ pilot MIS and digital logistics solutions for efficient distribution

Component 4 (Access to finance for investment)

• Co-design/ deliver financial products & digital tools
• Data-driven risk assessment tools and Credit guarantee/ blended finance mechanisms
• Financial literacy and investment readiness training
• Policy Advocacy for Enabling Financial Environment
• Credit guarantee facility (Derisking fund)

Component 5 (Enabling environment for sustainable aquaculture)

• Comprehensive value chain and trade barrier assessment
• Organisational development for Commercial Aquaculture Association and multi-stakeholder dialogues/ roundtable workshops
• Domestic market consumer awareness campaigns
• Pilot traceability and certification systems (regional/ international standards)