Deep in the heart of equatorial Africa, where lions, elephants and other wildlife roam the Nile basin, a new economy is emerging in the developing nation of Uganda. Using proven techniques developed in Auburn University’s Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture, Ugandan fish farmers are building a sustainable aquaculture industry from the ground up.

Thanks to a $2.5 million cooperative agreement from the U.S. Agency for International Development, a team of faculty and other researchers has spent three years applying a hands-on approach in Uganda to establish model cage- and pond-based fish farms. The production systems they have developed are located on private fish farms and serve as demonstration sites for spreading the technology and best practices to others.

“When we came here, we asked ourselves, let’s say someone started a commercial fish farm, and what are they going to need?” said AU researcher and chief of party Karen Veverica. “They’re going to need good advice on construction and design, a source of seed and feed, trained workers, and a market. And none of these were really well developed here at all. So we’re working on several fronts all at once.”

The team’s efforts have paid off. As the fish farming industry has grown, new jobs have been created and support industries have emerged—netmakers, fish hatcheries, feed suppliers and others, providing even more Ugandans a way to earn a living.

Farmer Paul Ssebinyansi says although fish farming is nothing new in Uganda—it dates back the 1950s—the most successful farmers are those employing the methods and techniques developed at Auburn.

“Before we were just doing fish farming, but without the right equipment, without technical know how,” he said. “But with the Auburn people here in Uganda, the fishing industry has improved a lot. The help of Auburn University, the Auburn people, and the presence of the Auburn people here, has made my farm grow into a successful operation.”

AU graduate student Sara Rademaker spent spring semester on the Umoja Fish Farm near the capital city of Kampala.

“I think it’s really important because we have so many educated people and so much information at Auburn,” Rademaker said. “It seems kind of a shame if we didn’t spread it out and if we didn’t use it, especially for students who are learning how to apply what they’ve learned at the university and actually make a difference. As they say, teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.”