FRESHWATER fish farming at Lake Ivae in Enga’s Lagaip district has yielded promising results.
The swampy area surrounding the lake, in the valley of the Surinki Basin, demonstrates significant potential to evolve into a major fishery zone.
The programme coordinator for the Lagaip Poverty Relievers Association, Tony Sulupin, shared this optimism during the first harvest with the valley’s fish farmers.
Sulupin highlighted the remarkable growth rate of the fingerlings stocked in the ponds, reaching maturity in less than eight months. During the harvest, fish weighing over 1kg, with one specimen weighing 2kg, were obtained.
“This news delights the farmers as the ponds teem with micro-organisms and essential nutrients that accelerate fish growth,” Sulupin said.
The Lake Ivae Valley Integrated Inland Fish Farming project was initiated by the local community around Porea village. This endeavour integrates fish farming with a piggery project, where pig droppings enrich the ponds with micro-organisms, subsequently serving as nourishment for the fish. The villagers have constructed 30 ponds and fully stocked them with carp and tilapia species.
Following the recent successful harvest, Sulupin expressed eagerness to expand the project across the entire lake to enhance food security, bolster household incomes, and stimulate the local economy.
The European Unionprovided support for the fishery project with K90,000.
