Opportunities and Challenges of Fish Marketing at Gelgel Gibe Dam in Ethiopia

Abstract

The inland fishery of Africa is estimated to produce 2.1 million tons of fish, representing 24% of the total global production from inland waters. The inland water body of Ethiopia is estimated to encompass about 7,400 km2 of lake area and a total river length of about 7,000 km. Gelgel gibe reservoir is located in Jimma Zone of Oromia regional state in Ethiopia, 260 km South-West of Addis Ababa, and has an altitude of 1640 m.a.s.l. The objectives of this research were to identify the main fish marketing channels and to assess opportunities and challenges in fish marketing as well as the price differences at various markets. Data were collected from sample fishers, retailers and wholesalers. Sample sizes were 50 from fishers and 15 from fish traders in Deneba, Sekoru and Jimma towns. Descriptive statistics and Ordinary Least square (OLS) measure of estimation was used for econometric analysis of determinants for the supply of fish to market and STATA software was used for analysis. The mean age of fishers and traders in the area were 20 and 40 years, respectively. The mean education level of fishers’ was grade 3 and average family size of households was 5. Storage and transportation were major costs in fish marketing. Lack of refrigerators, poor fishing gears and limited boat service, as well as, low fish price and lack of cold storage chains were the major production and marketing constraints. Fisher’s engagement in other farming businesses and shortage of means of transportation were significantly affecting the household’s marketable supply of fish.