International nonprofit research organization WorldFish has helped develop two new strains of tilapia the organization claims will help improve food supply and aquaculture productivity in Africa.
WorldFish, in a statement released today, said two breeding programs in Ghana and Egypt have developed advanced strains of Nile Tilapia, a common native fish in Africa.
The organization said a selective breeding program has been going on for the past 10 years two develop two new varieties: “Abbassa,” which grows 28 percent faster and heavier than wild tilapia, and “Akosombo,” which grows three times faster.
“Producing heavier fish faster means a greater income for Nile Tilapia farmers, and is expected to have significant economic benefits for the aquaculture industry in Egypt and Ghana,“ WorldFish said in its statement.
The new varieties, WorldFish said, reach harvest weight faster than other varieties, which will lead to greater productivity for fish farmers, and lower prices for consumers.
According to WorldFish, the strains are so productive that surplus fish are being exported to the Ivory Coast and other regions, possibly for further breeding.
