Abstract:

Provision of aquaculture extension services to farmers is fundamental for improvement of
fish production and the wellbeing of fish farming households. The study examined the
provision of extension services for fish farming, and the adoption of key recommended
technologies and practices in the central and northern regions of Uganda. Specifically, the
study assessed the characteristics offish farming households, and extension service provision
factors in the adoption of fish farming technologies and practices. Focus was on
understanding the actors involved in extension service provision, the services offered, the
approaches and methods used, and the level of adoption of key recommended fish farming
technologies. The study applied a sequential mixed-methods data collection approach.
Quantitative data were collected using a survey questionnaire, while qualitative data were
collected using Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions. The study finds that
agricultural research and extension guided the process of introducing aquaculture as a new
enterprise since the 1950s. Extension's focus to improve fish farming has had minimal
success due to limited understanding of differences among fish farmers, and how fish farming
fits in the overall diversified nature of household agricultural production. The structure and
pathways of agricultural extension services were inefficient in methods used, coverage,
financial and technical support. The socio-economic characteristics of respondents influenced
extension interactions. The adoption of recommended aquaculture technologies was low due
to individual-farmer and household-level factors, as well as the nature of extension
interactions. Extension service provision for aquaculture is ineffective and alienates fish
farmers from essential services needed to increase fish production. The study proposes a
farmer-centred, flexible and socially acceptable aquaculture extension model that promotes
beneficial extension worker-farmer interactions through strengthening participation,
collective decision-making and empowerment. The study proposes a fish farming-tailored
extension service cognisant of the practices, actors, as well as fish farmers’ needs and
expectations.