The following recommendations are based on the survey results and the conclusions presented in Chapter 7.
8.1.1 Fish Farming
The survey results indicate that participation in horticulture increases the likelihood of participation in fish farming. In drier NRs, such as III and IV, uptake of horticulture depends on a reliable water supply - a critical resource also needed for fish farming. Therefore, if extension efforts have to be rationalised, initial efforts could be concentrated on those farmers who emphasize horticulture production and possibly farmers in irrigation schemes.
The results have also indicated that practices relating to pond management are limited and constrain the development of aquaculture. Improved extension for existing farmers and their families on pond management in these areas might lead to improved production levels.
Stocking of ponds by Agritex, although recently improved over the last two years, has been slow. Extension efforts directed towards improving survival rates of fingerlings and the establishment of local fingerling production centres might improve the situation and decrease the time lag between pond construction and stocking.
The Agritex recommended pond size of 200m2 might not be the optimum size for farming households in all NRs. Further research should be carried out on the economics of fish farming with a view to assessing the profitability and returns to scarce resources. If aquaculture is combined with horticulture, inputs and outputs should be assessed on that basis.
The problem of poachers and predators such as otters appears to be a serious drawback to potential fish farmers; the actual loss of fish brought about by poaching and predation is impossible to assess but nevertheless presents a problem for extension services. Extension efforts should include methods to deal with these actual or perceived problems.
8.1.2 Small Water Body Exploitation
The bureaucratic process involved in obtaining fishing permits has discouraged groups. There seems to be no clear policy on access to dams for fishing groups. Since dams are a communal resource, it is important to define rules of access.
Decentralising the granting of permits might reduce long delays. The possibilities of issuing permits for more than a year as well as allocation of permits should be investigated thoroughly and in the light of other work carried out by Agritex Fisheries Unit.
Poaching, cited as a problem by members of fishing groups will remain a problem if authorities restrict access to a communally owned resource. Well known poachers should therefore be integrated into local fishing groups.
Agritex should provide greater support to group formation, technical support and awareness in fisheries management issues. As group cohesion appears to be a critical problem, further investigation is required on a) what the optimal size of groups to make fishing a viable activity and b) what are the skills necessary to run a successful fishing group ? Where viability of fishing groups in relation to small water body exploitation is in doubt, alternative strategies should also be investigated such as exclusive fishing rights accorded to an individual or local community.
It is difficult to make any firm recommendations with regard to marketing strategies since part of the marketing study is still to be completed. As concluded in Chapter 7, there appears to be excess demand for fish in relation to supply in both rural and urban areas. If extension efforts concentrate on farmers involved in horticulture production, marketing strategies might be best directed at existing channels for horticultural produce.
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