Nikimu Water Conservation and Fish farming Project (NWCFP)

Introduction Water is the vital resource to support all forms life on earth. Unfortunately, it is not evenly distributed over the world by season or location. Some parts of the world are prone to drought making water a scarce and precious commodity, while in other parts of the world it appears in raging torrents causing floods and loss of life and property. Throughout the history of the world, dams and reservoirs have been used successfully in collecting, storing and managing water needed to sustain civilization. Even today, water remains essential for the survival of mankind and the future development of the world?s cities, industries and agriculture. Storing water through reservoirs and ponds is seen as another way of adapting to climate change. The primary benefit of ponds and water reservoirs in the world is water supply. Another key purpose and benefit include: Irrigation for agriculture (for food supply). Meeting the agricultural demand for food supply; One of the biggest uses of water on a worldwide scale is agricultural irrigation. Since the early 1990s, less than 1/5 of the land suitable for agriculture in the world has been irrigated, and it has contributed about 1/3 of world food production. It is estimated that 80% of additional food production by the year 2025 will come from irrigated land. Most of the areas in need of irrigation are in arid zones, which represent a major portion of the developing countries. However, with the effects of climate change on agriculture, more widespread measures to conserve water by improvements in irrigation technology, construction of more reservoir projects will be required especially in developing countries like Uganda where agriculture counts for about 80% of the economy. Nikimu Farm Company has fish farming project. The company has proposed anew aim of providing high quality and quantity fresh fish at affordable price while adapting to increasing impacts of climate Change. This aim will be achieved through Nikimu Water Conservation and Fish farming Project (NWCFP) NWCFP will be committed to water conservation project activities in order to adapt to climate change and increase irrigation for food production in subsequent years following its establishment. The relief of Budaka District is generally low and flat characterized by shallow seasonal wetlands, were by these waters can be collected and conserved for increased food production and adaption to climate change. Its altitude ranges from 900-1200m above sea level (average of 1145m). The drainage system is dominated by rivers flowing from the Namatala and lwere swamp complexes. Which have their watersheds mainly on the slopes of Mt Elgon. The water source to these wetlands is mainly surface flow in terms of rivers, precipitation and ground water. There are great advantages associated with this project: the conservation of these water sheds will also influence micro climate; the environmental impact is low in area where the project is going to be located and when these waters are collected and conserved for climate change adaption purpose( In the period of increased precipitation), the water conservation ponds can be used for fish farming; the project supports the economy of Uganda, whereby it is based on agriculture and the irrigation system and the water conservation will support food production ( especially organic farming) throughout the year. Executive Summary The Concept A major new study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC Fourth Assessment) concludes that: In the low latitudes of the tropics, many wet areas will get wetter and dry areas, drier, aggravating drought and flood tendencies. The most widely accepted changes in climate that will impact Uganda include; an increase in mean annual temperature and a greater variability in precipitation. A significant increase in mean annual rainfall is expected. The highest percentage increase in the ?long? rainy season which is reported in December, January and February due to significant change in climate is likely to favor fish farming Many areas of Budaka District (Eastern part of Uganda) are likely to become wetter as experienced by this year?s rain. These flooded areas in Budaka District which no longer suitable for crops can be used to cultivate fish. The adaptation strategies proposed by the government of Uganda like use of reservoirs and ponds dug to capture and store water in order to moderate the swings between drought and flood, can be simultaneously be used for fish farming. Waste nutrients and water from such reservoirs can help sustain crops during periods of drought increasing the resilience of the farming system. Fish provide nutritious food to complement and compensate for more variable supplies of grains and meat caused by the unpredictable climate. Thus, by entering into fish farming industry through a well-planned and well-executed strategy (which takes in the positive opportunities of climate change that arise like increased flooding), the company will secure a solid position among the leading companies in the field. The company clearly, has devoted it life both to working to better itself and to improving communities around Budaka District as a whole (see the activities done by the company figure 1 below). Throughout the rest of its time of existence, the company hopes to continue in the same manner of unselfish work by educating the communities, farmers and intuitions the importance of the project so that the project can be replicated in several parts of the district and the country. Background Being well aware of this opportunity for quite some time and the increasing impacts of climate change, the Nikimu farm Company, a wholly owned business organization, mandated a thorough analysis of the market conducted by a team renowned of local and international analysts (Nikimu International Consulting company) that concluded that Agriculture industry (especially fish farming) is a niche that the company should capitalize on especially with the increasing impacts of climate change. The Company Nikimu Water Conservation and Fish farming Project (NWCFP) intends to position itself as one of the leading demonstration farm for water conservation and fresh fish farming in the Eastern Uganda and the whole country through an aggressive market penetration strategy as an innovative company when it comes to fresh fish production. In that regard, the company will be producing high quality and quantity fresh fish in environmentally and +health manner while responding to the increasing impacts of climate change. The Market In the perspective to get a strong foothold first in the Ugandan market and then internationally, Nikimu Water Conservation and Fish farming Project (NWCFP) will target fish processing Industries, hotels, schools, restaurants and agriculture retailers with the goal to gain a large percentage of the market share. Management Team Nikimu Farm Company will be primarily run by Nikimu farm founders who have been efficient at running the company in Kamonkoli Eastern Uganda .They will be assisted by district and National and international Agricultural advisors who have quite extensive experiences in fish farming businesses.