The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is rapidly transforming into a significant center for fish production, with the potential to yield over 14,000 kilograms of fish daily, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Fasil Dawit, Head of the Fisheries Development Desk at the Ministry, revealed the impressive figures, highlighting the dam's potential to significantly boost Ethiopia's fisheries sector.
While Ethiopia possesses substantial untapped potential in fisheries nationwide, various challenges have historically hindered its full realization, Dawit explained. However, he emphasized that the government is now implementing focused strategies to overcome these obstacles at the national level, aiming to substantially increase fish production and overall productivity to maximize economic benefits and contribute to food security.
Dawit cited the tangible progress in fisheries development within the GERD as a prime example of this transformation. He elaborated that high-demand fish species are now being harvested in significant quantities at the dam's reservoir, with current capacity exceeding 14,500 kilograms per day.
“Remarkable fish production is well underway at the GERD, where both youth and private investors are actively involved,” Dawit stated. “Recent data indicates that over 14,500 kilograms of fish are being collected daily. This has a significant positive impact on our national economic goals, particularly in our efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency.”
The GERD's reservoir boasts a diverse range of fish species, with the highly sought-after Nile Perch being particularly abundant, Dawit noted. He further highlighted the thriving production of "Korosso" fish, a species widely marketed in central Ethiopia and other regions. According to Dawit, the GERD, as a relatively new fisheries area, has the potential to surpass production levels in more established locations for this particular fish.
Beyond its significant economic contributions, the burgeoning fisheries sector at the GERD is also generating valuable job opportunities for local communities, Dawit emphasized.
To further enhance fish production across the country, the Ministry is actively engaged in distributing fish fingerlings to various water bodies, facilitating fish farming in areas where it is currently absent, and conducting nationwide awareness campaigns to promote fish consumption and investment in the sector, according to the desk head.
Bushen Fufa, a fisheries expert at the Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State Agriculture Bureau, underscored the crucial role of fish production at the GERD in bolstering the economic well-being of both the region and the nation as a whole.
He stated that 64 associations have been established within the fisheries sector in the region, with 23 of these associations’ already operational and providing employment opportunities. “Approximately 1,600 youth have been organized into these 64 groups, and we are seeing tangible results with the 23 associations that are currently active,” Bushen said. “We are confident that when all these organized associations become fully operational and the sector is fully developed, it will significantly boost the region’s revenue and create even more jobs.”
Bushen further stated that collaborative efforts are currently underway to support and bring the remaining non-operational associations into full productivity, further solidifying the GERD's role as a key contributor to Ethiopia's growing fisheries sector and its broader economic development goals, ENA learnt.