The Technical Consultation on Extension methods for Smallholder Fish Farming in Southern Africa was organised by ALCOM under project GCP/INT/555/SWE. It was held at the Capital Hotel, Lilongwe, Malawi, 20–24 November 1995, and attended by 37 participants from 10 of the 12 SADC countries (missing were Angola and Mauritius), FAO, ICLARM, Auburn University (USA), GTZ and Israel. The list of participants is given in Appendix 1.
The objective of the technical consultation was to improve the understanding and prioritize the issues of integrated aquaculture extension aimed at smallholder farmers, for use by extension planners and managers in Southern Africa. More specifically the consultation reviewed the aspects of an integrated aquaculture extension approach, presented aquaculture extension methods used in the countries in Southern Africa, and identified integrated aquaculture extension issues for attention by extension managers, and planners. The programme is given in Appendix 2, the list of documents in Appendix 3.
Mr. Boyd Haight, Programme Coordinator, ALCOM, described the background to the technical consultation. ALCOM began its work in late 1986, to address issues relating to appropriate fish farming techniques and their adoption by smallholder farmers in Southern Africa. ALCOM studied these issues, tested likely solutions in pilot projects in many countries, and disseminated the results throughout the region. In some countries, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of smallholder farmers adopting fish farming, due at least in part to improved extension approaches. Extension is a methodological and an institutional issue which directly affects smallholder farmers and development institutes, both of which comprise ALCOM's target groups. As ALCOM prepares for a future integrated with the SADC Inland Fisheries Unit, it was most appropriate that this meeting, on such a key topic, was being held in Malawi, the host of the unit. On behalf of the staff and collaborating partners associated with ALCOM, Mr. Haight welcomed all participants to the meeting and looked forward to five days of stimulating presentations and discussions.
Dr. Heimo Mikkola, FAO Resident Representative in Malawi, welcomed the participants on behalf of the FAO. He noted that, due to a stagnating and even declining production from the marine fishery, the potential for increased fish production rested with inland fisheries. In Southern Africa this resource lay in the major lakes, the rivers, the man made small water bodies and the on farm ponds for aquaculture. He noted that the consultation was reflecting the emphasis that FAO placed on the smallholder farmer and the diversification of farming activities to enhance food security at household, national and regional level. To be successful and sustainably applied by smallholder farmers, aquaculture methods must be developed and promoted in the context of the farmer's agricultural and socio-economic environment. This consultation would give the opportunity to consider ongoing and planned fish farming extension methods in light of each other's experiences and for the benefit of the small holder farmer. FAO felt that this meeting would help promote the development and use of appropriate fish farming extension methods, and regional cooperation in this field. He thanked the Government of Malawi for hosting the meeting and facilitating the use of the facilities in Lilongwe.
The Honourable Zililo Q.Y. Chibambo, Minister for Natural Resources, thanked ALCOM for choosing to hold the meeting in Malawi. He noted that fish contributes between 60 and 70% of the animal protein intake in Malawi, and that fish farming is growing more and more important as an auxiliary source of fish supply. Malawi has adopted the integrated approach to fish farming, by bringing fish farming as part of the overall farming system in order that use of farm resources is optimized. The minister noted with satisfaction that ALCOM emphasizes this very approach and the consultation will specifically discuss methodologies in extension related to it. He was confident that the consultation would come up with practical recommendations for follow up by the planners and managers of fish farming extension and development in the regions. He thanked all delegates for having accepted the invitation, wished them fruitful deliberations, and declared the meeting officially opened.
Mr. Boyd A. Haight gave a brief overview of smallholder fish farming and extension methods in Southern Africa, leading into the first session on the integrated extension approach.
Smallholder fish farming in Southern Africa is practised by farmers in rural areas, at levels of intensity ranging from extensive to semi-intensive application of inputs, usually as a secondary activity, often integrated with other farming activities such as gardening and livestock, and with several benefits in terms of food supply, income and the spreading of production risks. These farmers show great diversity in geographical location, agro-climatic conditions, land holding size and tenure, economic level, financial resources, and access to institutional support (e.g. extension, credit). Development projects often include assistance to fish farming through research to overcome constraints to increased production, and institutional support for extension.
In Southern Africa, those farmers who have the physical potential to farm fish (access to land and water in warm areas) will take up fish farming if they perceive the need for fish as food or to produce income, and when there is an extension service promoting fish farming. Access to extension services is the key to adoption and improvement of fish culture practices. It is the indispensable link between researcher, administrator and producer, as shown by recent ALCOM studies in Tanzania and Zambia. Yet development institutions in Southern Africa have limited human resources, facilities and budgets, and donor- funded projects have often failed to increase the capacity of these institutions to carry out extension work in a sustainable manner.
At the regional level, increased aquaculture production has been achieved mainly by increased pond area at low and stagnant levels of productivity, in harmony with other agricultural practices. There is great potential for expansion both in terms of area and productivity. While present aquaculture production in Southern Africa is estimated at 5,000 t/yr on 5,000 ha, FAO has estimated the potential at 250,000 t/yr on 100,000 ha of land under water.
In the last ten years, there has been a gradual change in approach to aquaculture development. It has moved from a technology and infrastructure emphasis to farmer-focused efforts integrated with overall farm development in Southern Africa. This change to an inter-disciplinary approach involves not only a methodological linkage of aquaculture with farming practices, but also an institutional linkage with extension. The key issues in forming the linkages in an integrated aquaculture extension approach are identification of target groups, appropriate culture techniques, and delivery of technology to the target group. These issues were covered in the first session which follows, along with experiences of government and non-governmental organizations working at sub-national, national and international levels.
