The Fisheries Commission and GKFFCU have established a new market at Kumasi Racecourse to support fish farmers. This initiative aims to secure fair pricing and increased profits. The regional director highlights challenges like low prices and high feed costs affecting fish production. The new market is expected to draw more investment and boost productivity in aquaculture.
The Fisheries Commission, in collaboration with the Greater Kumasi Fish Farmers Cooperative Union (GKFFCU), has secured a market space at the Kumasi Racecourse to enhance the sale of farmed fish. This initiative aims to ensure fair pricing and adequate profits for fish farmers by establishing a controlled market environment.
Mr. Gideon Boakye, the Ashanti Regional Director of the Fisheries Commission, emphasized that this move is essential to protect farmers from exploitation by fishmongers, who often buy fish at below-market rates. These low prices have caused financial losses, leading some farmers to abandon aquaculture for more lucrative opportunities.
In 2024, the Ashanti Region produced 1,355 metric tons of farmed fish, which was a slight increase from the previous year. However, challenges such as high fish feed costs have hindered production capacity. The new regulated market is expected to attract more investors and improve the sector’s productivity.
Mr. Boakye assured that the market would maintain strict quality standards for the farmed fish sold, benefiting both consumers and farmers. The GKFFCU was established to unite local fish farmers and ensure regulatory compliance while providing support to its members in the aquaculture sector.
He urged collaboration among stakeholders to establish mini farmed fish markets across all district cities in the region, thereby enhancing distribution and availability of farmed fish. This initiative is expected to promote sustainable protein sources for the community, boosting the local economy as farmers regain confidence in their investment.
The Fisheries Commission’s acquisition of market space for farmed fish at the Kumasi Racecourse represents a significant effort to bolster the aquaculture sector in the Ashanti Region. By providing a regulated environment for fair trade, the initiative aims to mitigate financial losses experienced by fish farmers and encourage industry growth. Through collective efforts, stakeholders can enhance the productivity and sustainability of fish farming in the region.
Original Source: www.ghanabusinessnews.com
