Aquaculture Africa 2024

November 19 - 22, 2024

Hammamet, Tunisia

Add To Calendar 20/11/2024 16:00:0020/11/2024 16:20:00Africa/CairoAquaculture Africa 2024GENDER-SPECIFIC ANALYSIS AND MAPPING OF THE AFRICAN CATFISH VALUE CHAIN IN UGANDA: A FOCUS ON WOMEN'S ROLES AND OPPORTUNITIESCesar The World Aquaculture Societyjohnc@was.orgfalseDD/MM/YYYYanrl65yqlzh3g1q0dme13067

GENDER-SPECIFIC ANALYSIS AND MAPPING OF THE AFRICAN CATFISH VALUE CHAIN IN UGANDA: A FOCUS ON WOMEN'S ROLES AND OPPORTUNITIES

L. Kobusingye*., Atukunda. G., Aruho C., Walakira J and V. Mpomwenda 

 

Uganda National Women Fish Organisation

Email: womenfish.ug@yahoo.com

 



Catfish farming in Uganda presents an opportunity for women to get employment, make a living and obtain nutritious food for their families. There is limited specific information on the women roles and opportunities in literature regarding catfish farming. This study services as an initial investigation on gender specific analysis in the catfish value chain in Uganda to get a better understanding about the involvement of women, their specific roles and opportunities for business and self-employment. The study was conducted in eight districts in the four regions in Uganda with participation of 164 persons in seed and feed producers, catfish farmers, processors, traders and consumers. The data collection method used was face-to-face interviews with the respondents. Results indicated low participation of women in most sectors apart from fish processing. The participation of women as owners or players in seed and feed production was almost negligible. The women involved in processing are very active but with very low economic returns about half of that realized by fish farmers and a third of that obtained by traders and thus economically vulnerable. Many women find barriers to financial resources and most of them utilized more of family savings unlike men who mostly utilized their own personal savings. Their major challenge was high interest rates and a lack of collateral security. More women were involved in groups (45) compared to men (36). Findings call for targeted interventions to enhance women’s economic empowerment to effectively contribute to the catfish value chain in Uganda.