Fish farming is now growing in the Highlands Region of Papua New Guinea as more new farmers show interest in it.
Mr. Jacob Towa, owner of Towa Fish Breeding and Hatchery Farm in the Western Highlands Province and private fish farming consultant, highlighted that in the recent years more and more farmers have cut out big patch of their land and converted them into fishponds for fish farming.
Mr. Towa stated that the demand for fish in the Highlands region is also increasing, thus it has become one of the main protein dishes for many households now.
“More and more people are starting to enjoy fish, the protein which was only sought to as something from the coastal area,” said Towa.
“More people find fish to be very affordable and a healthier choice, thus this has also put a demand on the supply of fish in the market.”
With the demand on fish supply, it is a good thing to also see that more and more new farmers have shifted from poultry and pig farming and tapping into fish farming.
“Right now, in Western Highlands Province there are about 50 plus farmers who have showed interest in fish farming.”
“Many are starting to dig big mass of land to turn in to fish farm ponds while others have already purchased their fingerlings and have started the first phase of fish farming process.”
There are about 43 new fish farmers in Southern Highlands Province who are now doing fish farming with more showing interest and with more new farmers in Tamnul and Walum Junctions.
“With new framers emerging, I try to make it my priority to visit them all and give them hands on tips and training.”
“I am also conducting trainings in areas that do not have fish farms and in areas that have interest in fish farming, and they have invited me to conduct trainings and workshop for all interested new farmers.”
Mr. Towa highlighted that his work has even branched out to Wewak in East Sepik and currently there are about a hundred plus fish farmers in Wewak.
“I have already sent about 70,000 fingerlings to the fish farmers in Wewak to grow in their fishponds and about 60,000 are still in stock to send as soon as National Fisheries Authority arrange farmers in Wewak to receive their next batch or fingerlings.”
Towa further added that the demand for freshwater fish is now very high, however production is low, therefore he is urging those that have big space of land and there is fresh water closer or have water supply and do not know what to do with that land, turn it to Fish Farm.