How catfish became king in Akisimasu

Akisimasu, a farming community in the Techiman Metropolis in the Bono East Region, hosts the 2023 Regional Best Fish Farmer, Kelvin Williams Asuma's, farm.

The fish farm christened "Eagles’ Croft" (The CROFT) produces only catfish in commercial quantities and processes them through smoking, frying or salting based on the consumer’s preference.

It has well-established and coordinated processing and marketing departments, leading to better management and services to its customers at all times.

The establishment of the company in the deprived community has significantly revived the local economy and made the community the go-to place for the popular delicacy.

Patrons of the famous CROFT also purchase farm produce and other livestock from farmers in the area, putting the community on the world map.

The Director of the CROFT, Mr Asuma, told the Daily Graphic that he was into catfish production because rearing them was economical and the fish, including the fingerlings, were in high demand.

Unique

The taste of the CROFT's smoked, fried or salted catfish is unique, and the special taste of the processed catfish continues to attract patrons from all walks of life.

During Christmas, Easter and New Year festivities, individuals, groups, institutions and companies always place orders.

The CROFT, which is revolutionising catfish farming by adopting innovative technologies and best practices to enhance production, is also a major hatcher, breeder and off-taker for catfish farmers in the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions.

The farm also provides readily available fingerlings for production in the regions and beyond.

When the Daily Graphic visited the fish farm, it found that Mr Asuma had established more than 20 fishponds fully stocked with catfish.

In each clean fishpond, there were over 2,000 fish ready for the market.

Apart from the 20 fishponds and other farms scattered across the region, Mr Asuma has eight different mini ponds purposely for the production of fingerlings.

Lucrative

Last year, Eagles’ Croft processed about 9.5 tonnes of catfish and over five tonnes of fresh fish to the market.

Catfish being processed

Currently, it has eight staff, creating over 350 indirect jobs.

Mr Asuma called on the government to support the industry to entice the youth to venture into the lucrative industry.

He urged the government to support them with extruder machines to produce fish feed or subsidise the price of manufactured feed, and also bemoaned the high cost of utility bills, which threatens the industry.

Indispensable staple

A patron, James Owusu, told the Daily Graphic that catfish was becoming an indispensable staple in meals in Ghana.

Some processed catfish ready to be transported to the market

Mr Owusu, who is a fan of catfish, said initially, catfish was not his favourite fish until he tasted smoked catfish from the CROFT.

"Catfish has become part of my daily meal since I tasted it from this farm.

In fact, I have become addicted to the CROFT's processed catfish," he said.

"The establishment of THE CROFT in the community has helped to boost the local economy because the patrons also buy our foodstuffs and livestock," a resident, Gifty Abagana, also said.

She explained that people travelled from far and near to patronise the fish farm, describing the CROFT as the only major investment in the community.

Mrs Abagana said the presence of the company in the area had promoted the community.

Another resident, Emmanuel Kofi Adjei, appealed to the company to train the youth to venture into fish farming.

He said training more youth would help sustain the industry.

Writer's email: biiya.ali@graphic.com.gh