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How aquaculture helps
food security in southern Africa
The Aquaculture for Local Community Development
Programme (ALCOM) - a subregional programme that
operates in nine southern African countries - aims
to improve the standard of living of rural
subsistence communities through aquaculture. The
potential is considerable.
Southern Africa has an estimated 20 000
small water bodies, most of them reservoirs built
to provide water for domestic use, watering cattle
and irrigating crops. In the past, some were
stocked with fish, but, lacking adequate
management, their production remained low. However,
they could yield an estimated 50 to 200 kg per
hectare per year. Production is aided by warm water
and plentiful food, while nutrient-rich runoff
promotes plankton growth. Aquaculture is
sustainable because it does not reduce the water
resource or conflict with most other uses, except
for domestic use (e.g. drinking).
ALCOM introduces aquaculture as an activity that
complements existing farming systems and depends on
little or no additional inputs. Activities are
broad-based and involve studies, investigation and
pilot projects in the integration of aquaculture
with farming systems and promotion of a wider role
for women and youth in aquaculture development.
Further
information
Subcategories
aquaculture
gender roles
in fisheries
How aquaculture helps food security in southern AfricaThe Aquaculture for Local Community Development Programme (ALCOM) - a subregional programme that operates in nine southern African countries - aims to improve the standard of living of rural subsistence communities through aquaculture. The potential is considerable.
Southern Africa has an estimated 20 000 small water bodies, most of them reservoirs built to provide water for domestic use, watering cattle and irrigating crops. In the past, some were stocked with fish, but, lacking adequate management, their production remained low. However, they could yield an estimated 50 to 200 kg per hectare per year. Production is aided by warm water and plentiful food, while nutrient-rich runoff promotes plankton growth. Aquaculture is sustainable because it does not reduce the water resource or conflict with most other uses, except for domestic use (e.g. drinking). ALCOM introduces aquaculture as an activity that complements existing farming systems and depends on little or no additional inputs. Activities are broad-based and involve studies, investigation and pilot projects in the integration of aquaculture with farming systems and promotion of a wider role for women and youth in aquaculture development. |
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