It is now generally recognized that one of the main reasons for the past failures of aquaculture development in Africa is the lack of adequate planning, particularly at the regional and national levels.
By its Resolutions 37/248 and 38/160, the United Nations General Assembly urged United Nations agencies to intensify contacts and promote cooperation with the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC)1. In response to these Resolutions, FAO signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SADCC and joint activities have been implemented, primarily in the agricultural sector.
In early 1985, a proposal to organize a workshop for the SADCC countries was agreed upon under the FAO Rehabilitation Programme for Africa. In March 1985 the necessary funds were released to the Inland Water Resources and Aquaculture Service (FIRI), Fishery Resources and Environment Division of the Fisheries Department.
On the basis of discussions held between the Inland Water Resources and Aquaculture Service (FIRI) and the Fishery Development Planning Service (FIPP), the following objectives were defined for the Workshop:
to discuss the formulation and implementation of development plans in the field of aquaculture in general and for the SADCC countries in particular;
to discuss the status of aquaculture in the SADCC region;
to examine possible ways to improve future collaboration on a regional basis; and
to recommend actions to be taken to develop aquaculture in the SADCC Region.
The Workshop was successfully organized with close collaboration between the Government of Zambia (Department of Fisheries and UNDP/FAO/GRZ project ZAM/79/005) and the FAO technical services (FIRI and FIPP).
It was held at the Lusaka Mulungushi Hall from 7 to 11 October 1985, in conjunction with the Sixth CIFA Session. The Workshop and this Session met together for the first two half-day panel meetings of the CIFA Symposium on the Planning and Implementation of Fisheries Management and Development Programmes. Then, the Workshop continued its discussions separately.
The Workshop was attended by 15 participants (Annex I). Ten of them were national representatives from seven SADCC countries, Botswana and Swaziland being unable to attend. Observers from the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the SADCC Fisheries Office, and Zambia were also present. FAO field personnel specialized in aquaculture development contributed greatly to the technical discussions. Three FAO-HQ Officers were responsible for organizational matters, coordination, and specific technical aspects.
The Workshop's programme (Annex II) included nine items, to be successively reviewed and discussed. Items 1 and 2 were part of the CIFA Symposium, under the Chairmanship of Mr. N. Odero (Kenya), assisted by Dr. W. Odoi-Akersie (Ghana) as discussion leader. The second part of the Workshop, specifically devoted to SADCC countries, was chaired by Mr. E.D. Boma, Zambian Representative and National Director of the UNDP/FAO/GRZ Project for Fish Culture Development. For each item, he was assisted by a discussion leader and two SADCC representatives acting as rapporteurs.
On the afternoon of Thursday 10 October 1985, a visit was organized by Dr. V. Gopalkrishnan, FAO Chief Technical Adviser, to the Chilanga fish farm. During this field visit, the Workshop participants had the opportunity to discuss the recent developments of tilapia culture integrated with duck and pig husbandry, as well as the various technical and economic aspects of semi-intensive pond farming in Zambia.
The last item consisted in the approval by the Workshop participants of the draft reports presented by the discussion leaders. Particular attention was given to the formulated recommendations which were fully endorsed by the national representatives of the SADCC countries present.
At the closure of the Workshop, Dr. A.G. Coche thanked the participants for their contributions. He also expressed the gratitude of FAO and the participants to the Government of Zambia for hosting the Workshop. The organizational assistance received from Dr. V. Gopalakrishnan was particularly acknowledged.
