Ideas matter: Using aquaculture technology to enhance smart farming in Lira city, mid-north Uganda

Abstract

This study aimed to determine how adoption of aquaculture can translate into smart farming among urban farmers in Lira city. A descriptive study design was adopted targeting only one fish farm in the city and data was collected using interviews and observations were used as well as reviews of secondary data which were used at the introductory party of this work. Questions were asked to the farm manager and the director who later joined us during the questions and answers session; and analysed thematically. The findings show that the three aspects of aquaculture, namely; the hatchery where eggs are extracted and hatched, water production used to sustain the pond and the fish inside, and the pond security have a greater potential of enhancing smart farming among urban farmers in Lira city and the country as a whole. Nevertheless, adoption of aquaculture is yet to be embraced by a good number of urban farmers, something likely to derail the country from attaining adequate nutrients as well as tapping into both local and regional fish markets. The outcomes of this study may be used by urban authorities and the line ministry to develop guidelines for engaging smallholder urban farmers more aggressively into the enterprise as well as conserving the environment. This paper contributes to the growing both of knowledge by underscoring one of the affordable smart farming technologies that can be adopted create self-employment, better nutrition and food security in the region.