Sunyani: Fish production in the Bono Region has seen a marginal increase, with the region producing 1,988.1 tons between January and March 2026, according to Madam Diana Obuobi Sakyibea, the Bono Regional Director of Fisheries.
According to Ghana News Agency, the region produced 1,883.81 tons during the same period in 2025. Madam Sakyibea explained that aquaculture contributed approximately 61.9 tons, while capture fisheries contributed 1,926.2 tons. In 2025, aquaculture production was around 33.81 tons with capture fisheries contributing 1,850 tons.
Fingerling production also showed an increase, reaching 89,000 in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 31,200 fingerlings produced in the previous year. Comparatively, about 35,450 fingerlings were stocked in the first quarter of the year against 23,400 in the previous year.
She attributed the growth to intensified extension services by the Fisheries Commission, emphasizing the need for regular technical guidance for fish farmers in the region to adopt best practices and improve productivity. The availability of feed, harvesting, and scoop nets also contributed to the boost in production.
The commission organized training programs to help fish farmers network and address common challenges, particularly in marketing. Networking was highlighted as essential for motivating farmers to expand production and promote aquaculture development.
The high cost of feed remains a major concern despite its availability. Madam Sakyibea called on the government and development partners to support the establishment of feed processing plants in the country. The region requires feed plants to enable farmers to process locally sourced raw materials into fish feed, thereby reducing production costs and generating additional revenue.
Additionally, she called for the availability of soft loans for fish farmers and associations to support economic activities and improve productivity. She urged farmers to adopt innovative marketing strategies, noting the rapid expansion of the fisheries sector and the need for more personnel to strengthen extension services for improved production.