Assessment of Challenges and Practices in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromisniloticus) Farming in West Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia

The decline in wild fish catches due to overexploitation of fisheries resources underscores the urgent need for aquaculture to bridge the resulting production gap. This study examined Nile Tilapia farming practices in the West Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia, and identified key challenges faced by both aquaculture experts and fish farmers. According to experts, the top three constraints were: lack of government attention to fish farming (34.67%), limited awareness among farmers (17.33%), and low practical knowledge among both experts and farmers (14.67%). In contrast, farmers identified their primary challenges as: limited access to quality seed and mono-sex fingerlings (26.67%), low awareness (20.95%), and insufficient government support and knowledge on farm-formulated feeds (14.29%). The study found that the fish farming management system in the area is generally poor, particularly regarding feed management and harvesting practices. Farmers often practice mixed-sex stocking, resulting in uncontrolled reproduction, despite mono-sex stocking being more desirable—albeit largely inaccessible. Both experts and farmers exhibited significant knowledge and skill gaps in Nile Tilapia aquaculture. Additionally, over 50% of fish ponds were found to be unused, highlighting critical underutilization of resources. To enhance productivity, the study recommends continuous training programs, improved seed supply systems, and stronger government support.