Kampala, Uganda – Masheda Mixed Farm, a budding leader in Uganda’s aquaculture sector, is revolutionizing the industry with its innovative approach to fish farming.
The farm, located in Buyala, Mpigi District, has grown from a small-scale operation to a major player in the sector, producing over 2 million kilograms of fish per year.
“We are not just selling fish; we are providing a well-packaged, nutritious product that meets international standards,” Mavin Lwasa, Managing Director of Masheda Holdings Ltd, told Al Jazeera.
Masheda’s success is driven by its focus on value addition, producing high-quality fish products that meet both local and international standards.
“Unlike many farmers who sell fresh catfish, Masheda Foods produces high-quality fish products that meet both local and international standards,” Lwasa explained.
The farm’s products, including catfish fillets and packaged ready-to-cook fish, are in high demand both locally and internationally, with the company exporting to countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya.
Lwasa attributed their success to their ability to offer high-quality, value-added fish products, which has enabled them to penetrate markets outside Uganda.
“Our initial market was the DRC, which is Kinshasa, where we have about 60 stores in Kinshasa alone, as well as Nairobi, as well as the central Africa Republic. But very soon, we, earlier this year, we’re looking to list onto Amazon, where we’re going to be tackling the Belgian French and the UK market as well, because of the high demand from these communities within the diaspora,” Lwasa said.
Masheda’s commitment to innovation and quality has not gone unnoticed, with the company receiving recognition from the Ugandan government for its contributions to the country’s aquaculture sector.
The company’s focus on every aspect of the value chain, from hatchery to harvesting, has also contributed to its success.
“Masheda farm is focused on capturing every aspect of the value chain, where we start with the hatchery, where we produce our fingerlings and control our standards and quality. At Masheda mix farm, we also produce our feeds, as well as have the outgrower’s Pond scheme, where we grow our fish in our ponds, as well as impacts different communities by providing them with skills and inputs for them to be able to grow their own fish as well,” Lwasa explained.
Masheda Mixed Farm has also made a significant impact on the local community, training and employing 500 youths who were previously living on the streets.
“So far, Masheda mix farm has directly impacted trained and skilled about 500 street youths. We skilled these youth into pond construction all the way to the harvesting period. We train them within our hatchery, within our outgoing ponds. We train them into the art of harvesting the fish as well. And we’re proud to say that a lot of these street youth, we’re now at 500 directly impacted, and a lot of these street youth are now earning a stable salary,” Lwasa said.
The company’s commitment to supporting local communities extends to its sourcing practices, with a focus on buying local and supporting Ugandan farmers.
“The initiative of buy Uganda build Uganda is on the forefront of this campaign at Masheda foods, as a Ugandan company, we are deeply committed to supporting the local economy through our buy Uganda build Uganda initiative, we prioritize sourcing raw materials locally. This ensures that we support Ugandan farmers and contribute to the agricultural sector’s growth,” said Douglas Denis Onen, a key figure at the farm.
Masheda Mixed Farm’s impact on Uganda’s aquaculture sector extends beyond its own business, with the company’s model encouraging local farmers to embrace fish farming as a viable and profitable enterprise.
