SOUTHERN REGION OF AFRICA/RÉGION AUSTRALE D'AFRIQUE

Aquaculture Development and Research in
MALAWI

Emmanuel KAUNDA
Domasi Aquaculture Centre
Zomba, Malawi

Figure 1. Administrative districts of Malawi

Abbreviations

1 AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT

1.1 History of Development

Malawi, a land-locked country - with 20% of the area covered by water - derives 70 per cent of the total animal protein from fish. The fish is mainly from capture fisheries while aquaculture contributes about 0.1–0.2 per cent of the total supply.

It is a known fact that the supply of fish from capture fisheries can no longer be increased by a considerable magnitude. At the same time, demographic studies show that Malawi is one of the most densely populated countries, with a growth estimated at a rate of 3.8% per annum. This means that, if the current per capita consumption of fish is to be maintained, an alternative source of fish has to be identified.

Aquaculture is the alternative source. Unfortunately, the realization of the potential of aquaculture by the Fisheries Department of Malawi came only recently.

The government policy statement on fisheries was first published in 1973 and remained unchanged up to 1987. It was as follows:

"1. STRATEGY

1. To so manage the fisheries of natural waters of Malawi that the optimum sustainable yield is obtained,

2. To foster the establishment of a stable and economically viable fishing industry through the development of the activities of the present fishing community,

3. To assist the efficient landing, processing and distribution of all fish caught and to ensure that the achievement of maximum landing is not hampered by lack of marketing facilities,

4. To encourage where appropriate fish culture as a means of supplementing supplies of fish from natural waters,

5. To protect Lake Malawi's and other water endemic fish fauna as a scientific and educational asset,

6. To so manage the exploitation of crocodiles in Malawi that

   1. human life is not put at undue hazard,

   2. the development of fisheries is not hampered,

   3. the maximum sustainable return, in value of skins exported compatible with (a) and (b) above is achieved,

   4. the crocodile is preserved from extinction in Malawi.

Supporting the policy statement, the Research Section of the department has the following priority areas:

1. to promote to an optimum level the development of fisheries considered to be under-utilized,

2. to monitor the activities of currently operational fisheries and regulate them where necessary,

3. to improve on the methods of fish handling and processing and disseminate the relevant information throughout the country.”

Policy aim 1(iv) stipulates aquaculture or fish farming but the following additional information published together expresses that the Government was concerned about the sector:

“Artisanal fisheries, which produce about 85 percent of the total landings, receive high priority. The Department is strongly encouraging the development of aquaculture, both at commercial and subsistence levels, to supplement fish supplies from natural waters. Previously, all fish farming activities were concentrated in the Southern Region, where technical advice was readily available but the activities are now expanding northwards, as can be witnessed by the numerous fish ponds at Dwangwa. The Central and Northern Regions fish farming development, extension, training and research project will promote aquaculture development in the Central and Northern Regions….”.

The power to implement the policy was given to the Fisheries Department by the Fisheries Act (1973) of the same year. Despite the fact that the policy suggested concern over fish farming, this was not perceived by the implementing agency - the Fisheries Department - for, in its annual report of 1974, a year later, the following was written:

“Priorities in the implementation of the Policy. The first three policy aims (paragraphs 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 above) which are interdependent, are considered important.”

Looking at the paragraphs in which priorities are stated, fish farming is not included. This is probably the reason why fish farming development was slow from the seventies to the late eighties. This period was characterized by low number of trained personnel, farmers and projects. The latter are listed in Table 1.

Given the responsibility to direct aquaculture activities, the Fisheries Department (FD) has since been responsible for the development of aquaculture technologies and their dissemination to the right target. The Department is therefore responsible for the promotion of small-scale fish farming, which is undertaken in small earthen ponds, and large-scale fish farming in small water bodies (reservoirs) which belong to estates owners, community or public institutions like schools. The two sectors are thus involved in aquaculture development: the public sector represented by the Fisheries Department and the private sector represented by small-scale fish farmers and private reservoirs.

The Fisheries Department has the task to promote fish farming in the private sector. To do that successfully, the department has to conduct research (which entails trained personnel) to have proper technologies which can be extended to the private sector.

Fortunately, the department is supported by the University of Malawi (UM), the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Justice, in terms of research, training, extension and legislative matters (Figure 2).

The Fisheries Department is supported in research principally by the University of Malawi for both biotechnological and socio-economical subjects. Biotechnological research is conducted both at the Chancellor College (using research facilities at Domasi) and Bunda College, where experimental facilities are available. Funds for research are either provided by the Research and Publications Committee of the University or donor-funded projects hosted by or under the Fisheries Department.

In extension, assistance is provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, especially in areas where fisheries technical assistants are not available. Agricultural field assistants provide the necessary services.

Legislative support is provided by the Ministry of Justice through provision of necessary law. For instance, the law prohibits unnecessary introduction of exotic species in the country.

Table 1

Major aquaculture projects in Malawi (1970–1993)

Figure 2. Institutional set-up of aquaculture development in Malawi

Figure 3. Institutional framework

Finally, the small-scale fish farmer is dependent on the Fisheries Department for advice on such aspects as pond construction, site selection and pond management. Capital funds are made available by the owner. In estates, funds are provided by the company which owns the reservoir. Advice is obtained from either the Fisheries Department or independent consultants. Sometimes the Fisheries Department supplies fingerlings and harvesting gear to estates and small-scale fish farmers upon request at an established fee (for fingerlings).

1.2 Institutional Framework

As a constituent department of the Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources, Fisheries, with the Departments of Forestry and of National Parks and Wildlife, is accountable to the Ministry for all aspects of administrative and development work programmes and through the Ministry to the Ministry of Finance for all budgetary control and other financial matters. Similarly, responsibility extends through the ministry to the Economic Planning and Development Department of the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) for all matters pertaining to project planning and the inclusion of such Projects in the National Development Plan and annual Department Estimates (Figure 3).

Upon submission of financial requirements of the department to the EP&D through the ministry, the budget is approved or amended and allocations are made. The approved budget is disbursed through the Treasury of the Ministry of Finance.

In some cases, funds are given by donors directly to executing agents for a specific programme of the Department. This is the case with the ongoing ICLARM/GTZ-FD-UM and the MAGFAD projects.

At other times, donors put funds in the government treasury to run stated programmes. This is the case with the CNRFFP.

1.3 Education and Training

Training is provided by the University of Malawi and the Ministry of Agriculture. At a constituent college of the University of Malawi, the Bunda College of Agriculture, a twenty-hour course is taught in the diploma programme. At times, master degrees are awarded for aquaculture-related subjects.

At another constituent college of the University of Malawi, Chancellor College, five persons have been awarded a Master degree sponsored by the ICLARM/GTZ-FD-UM project and also in aquaculture-related subjects. Another Master degree is to be awarded in the 1992/93 academic year.

The Ministry of Agriculture coordinates a training programme for technical assistants. Fisheries is included in the curriculum. This is conducted at the Natural Resources College (NRC). The curriculum includes other fields like agriculture and veterinary medicine. The fisheries technical assistants spend one year at the NRC while the final year is spent at the Mpwepwe Fisheries Training School. It is at the latter school that students choose between fisheries and aquaculture as their area of specialisation.

Education provided by the University of Malawi at Bunda College of Agriculture is inadequate. Few people trained there work in the Fisheries Department. Few people who passed through National Resources College and the Mpwepwe Fisheries Training School opt for aquaculture. For instance, in 1983–84 only four Mpwepwe trainees did their practical exercises at Domasi.

There are, however, positive developments towards education and training in aquaculture, both locally and internationally. Bunda College has been chosen as the training centre for the SADC regional training programme. An effort has been made to develop a curriculum for diploma, bachelor and master degrees (in aquaculture) programmes.

The curriculum at the National Resources College (NRC) is known to be inadequate, as can be seen from a National Coordination Committee meeting of the Fisheries Department (16–17 January 1991):

“3/56. The sub-committee reported that, following the discussions, issues that stood were as follows:

• There is currently very little interaction between the field staff and NRC staff so the training provided does not reflect demands of the field......

• The current aquaculture and fisheries curriculum needs to be reviewed…”

Training outside the country for the Malawi Fisheries Department staff is done in conjunction and in consultation with the Department of Personnel and Management Training (DPMT). Scholarships are provided through bilateral relationship with other countries or from donor-funded aquaculture projects. For example, a donor-funded project, ICLARM/GTZ-FD-UM, has sponsored one person to study at the Asian Institute of Technology (Thailand).

1.4 Development Plans

Until around 1987, there were no clear development plans for aquaculture. Since the influx of projects in the mid-eighties (Table 1) and the change in policy in 1987, there has been active planning by the Fisheries Department. The intention to have a development plan is noted in the Aquaculture Coordination Committee meetings of 16–17 January 1991:

“3/115. The Committee agreed on the need to formulate a national aquaculture strategy for Malawi.”

The development plan was to be for 10 years and be made out of intense study of the history of aquaculture, the present status of aquaculture, the potential for aquaculture and then the ten-year development plan with expected output (Appendix 1 is provided for the outline). Currently, the formulation of the plan is being coordinated at the Fisheries Department headquarters, with the assistance of an expatriate funded by the EEC. National, as well as expatriate, aquaculture experts are consulted to comment on the plan.

1.5 Evaluations and Constraints

Evaluations were made (i) through interviews by the evaluators of projects conducted on target groups, e.g. small-scale farmers, as well as on relevant individuals in the private and public sectors, and (ii) reviews and syntheses of reports, e.g. from aquaculture projects and/or the private sector.

1.5.1 Potential of aquaculture

Brooks (1992) summarized the potential areas for aquaculture in Malawi based on some of the following factors: land formations, altitude, temperature, precipitation, run-off and soils. Figure 4 and Table 2 show the areas of minor and major fish farming activity with potential for expansion. Malawi has an area of 94 080 km², of which 20 per cent is water leaving 75 264 km² as land. From Table 2, 11 650 km² are under, or have potential for, aquaculture. This represents 15.5 per cent of available land.

Further evaluations were made by regions or areas which were and/or are covered by aquaculture projects. Vincke and Schmidt (1991) found that, apart from having good geographical features, the potential for small-scale fish farming in the Northern Region is high because smallholder farmers have large land holdings (3–5 ha) and because the farmers are familiar with semi-intensive animal husbandry and have diversified production; the system of marriage is patrilinear and land is passed through the male. The latter is considered a suitable arrangement, because fish farming is conceived as a cash crop and there could be uncertainty on the part of the male to lose his investment in case of marriage problem.

Figure 4. Map of Malawi showing area of fish farming activity with potential for expansion (from Brooks, 1992)

Table 2

Area (in km²) by region with existing and potential expansion of fish farming based on physiographic parameters
(Source: Brooks, 1992)

According to Vincke and Schmidt (1991), the potential for small-scale fish farming in the Central region is less than in the Northern region because perennial water is scarce and the prevalent matrilinear system of marriage gives low security for the man since land is passed through the wife.

Janke (1991) noted the scarcity of perennial waters in the Dedza area of the Central Region of Malawi. He pointed out that the potential for animal-fish integration is there, since many people keep livestock.

Evaluations by Mandeng (1988) showed that, in part of the Southern Region, farmers engaged in fish farming are relatively “well off” and practise fish farming for income but would attribute more land to fish farming only if it did not endanger their own requirements. Evaluations by Borges-Altvater (1992) in the same area showed that the matrilineal system which empowers wives to own the land is breaking down. Many people demand official ownership of the land.

In general, there is a high potential for small-scale fish farming in all the areas despite the lack of perennial waters in some areas. The eagerness of farmers in the Central and Southern Regions is manifested by the fact that fish farming started without government activity in some areas. In the Central Region (Dedza area), number of ponds grew from zero in 1987 to 450 in 1992 without any active participation of the Fisheries Department. In the Mulanje area in the Southern Region a similar case is reported, where fish farming was started by farmers learning from friends or neighbours (ICLARM and GTZ 1991). The type of farming system to be advocated should depend on the available resources of the farmer, his objectives and requirements. A broad range of farming systems (animal-fish, rice-fish and crop-fish) as well as supplementary feeding, should all be encouraged.

Evaluations were also made on small water bodies. Reports have shown that there exist 700–800 reservoirs of different size in the country (Vincke and Schmidt, 1991). These are of three categories: government (sited at a government institution, e.g. school), estate (located on usually large privately-owned pieces of land, e.g. sugar estate) and communal (ownership unclear, either owned by chiefs, family or village). It was suggested that, if properly managed, they could increase fish supply up to 80–140 tonnes per annum. Small water bodies in Malawi still represent an unutilized resource.

1.5.2 Constraints to aquaculture development

In the course of various evaluations, the following have been considered as constraints for aquaculture development in the country (as listed by Balarin, 1987):

• Limited perennial water supplies that are accessible to smallholder without pumping;
• restricted availability of soils suitable for pond construction;
• lack of technical awareness by the smallholder, which has led to poor site selection and system design;
• climatic constraints due to altitude, which limits the use of upland sites;
• legal constraints which restrict carp introduction into Lake Malawi catchment;
• low fish production in ponds because of the use of low-protein feeds;
• lack of skilled manpower;
• poor maintenance of accurate records to be able to derive conclusions on factors affecting production;
• faulty lay-out of ponds adversely influencing economic results amongst those farmers who showed the initiative to build ponds but did not seek proper advice;
• very small ponds (8–10 m²) providing benefits too small to encourage further inputs on the part of the farmer;
• fish farming being a relatively high capital-cost venture is foreign to the traditional concept of agriculture such that development programmes need Government support;
• extension staff are too few and, although Agricultural Extension Assistants provide inputs, it is only on part-time basis, therefore hardly effective;
• slow-growing fish species;
• lack of artificial feeding and lack of adequate fertilization of ponds.

The government is working towards solving most of the constraints through different projects and programmes. Other constraints have been recognised recently:

• Lack of enhancement of fish production from small water bodies such as reservoirs (Vincke and Schmidt, 1991);
• lack of funds, hence reliance on external assistance (ICLARM and GTZ 1991);
• lack of involvement of women in aquaculture (Borges-Altvater, 1992);
• lack of fingerlings (Janke, 1991).

1.5.3 Marketing of aquaculture products

Locally, lack of means of transport from Lake Malawi to rural areas makes fish to be a scarce commodity in many villages. And since prices are controlled by demand and supply forces, fish in rural areas of the Northern Region can sell as high as 10 MWK/kg of 20–30 g fish at farm gate with no marketing costs, against 1–2 MWK/kg of tilapia at the lake beach (Vincke and Schmidt, 1991).

Similarly, in Dedza, very far from the lake, fish is scarce and the prices of fish were reported by Janke (1991) to be as given in Table 3. They show that fish produced by fish farmers is readily marketable.

Fish which is produced in Estates is sold to workers at a subsidised price but the demand is great and an increase in production is required (ICLARM and GTZ 1991).

No public study has been made on the possibilities for export.

Table 3

Prices of fish in the Dedza area

1.5.4 The financial analysis

Vincke and Schmidt (1991) calculated the return/man day for a simple animal-fish integrated system using a slow-growing local fish, Oreochromis shiranus, and found that fish production was superior to many enterprises (Table 4). Similarly, Mandeng (1988) calculated that small-scale fish production was profitable.

Table 4

Comparison of net return per day of labour of fish farming and alternative farm productions

Source: Vincke and Schmidt, 1991

In the large-scale fish farm of SUCOMA high profits were realized due to integration with other activities (Brooks, 1992) as shown in Table 5.

Financial appraisal is therefore in favour of both small-scale and large-scale integrated systems.

Table 5

Income and expenditure accounts (in MWK) for SUCOMA (Brooks, 1992)

Need for credit

Since small-scale farmers fend for themselves in terms of capital, credit is needed for capital items such as wheel-barrows to construct fish ponds and nylon seine nets for harvesting them.

1.6 Production Statistics

Table 6 gives an estimate of production from small-scale aquaculture in 1988 and 1993. Results show that small-scale aquaculture production has risen over one hundred percent since 1988. The production from reservoirs in the estates was 67 t in 1988. It can be expected that it has also risen. Similarly, the production in government stations, estimated at 6–15.10 t in 1988, must have risen. Therefore, it can be estimated that total production of fish from aquaculture actually surpasses 300 t/year.

1.7 Aquaculture Development Projects

1.7.1 The Central and Northern Regions Fish Farming Development, Extension, Training and Research Project (CNRFFP)

The project was designed to alleviate shortage of fish in the Central and Northern Regions of Malawi through the promotion of aquaculture. It was to run in two phases, costing over 3.8 million ECU, with the EC providing more than 75 per cent of the funding through the European Development Fund, the remainder being financed by the Malawi Government (ICLARM and GTZ 1991).

Implementation of the project was initiated in 1989 by Fisheries Development Limited (Warwick, U.K.) and the University of Stirling; Phase I lasted from 1989 to 1992 and Phase II will terminate at the end of 1994. The project is divided into four main components: an extension unit, a production facility, training and research units.

The main function of the extension unit is to work in conjunction with the Agricultural Extension Assistants to help small-scale farmers. Their principal task is to make recommendations to farmers about appropriate siting of ponds, pond design and management, arrange the seed supply, and provide solutions to operational problems. Under the general supervision of the extension unit, the production facility manages the ponds of the fish farms, both to ensure the seed supply and to run demonstrations for farmers.

The function of the training unit is to ensure a supply of Technical Assistants to the extension unit. It also provides refresher courses to project staff members and coordinates the training of farmers.

Three main functions are performed by the research unit: to undertake trials to increase pond yields by developing improved methods of fish culture and enhance yields in the cooler waters at higher elevations; to identify and experiment with the residues/by-products of other on-farm agricultural operations for use as fish feeds and pond fertilizers, and, in collaboration with the extension unit, to identify other parts of the country in which fish culture is feasible, then to develop viable systems for such areas and to monitor their adoption by small-scale fish farmers.

During its first three years, the project was implemented by expatriate and local counterpart staff. Results from the mid-term evaluation showed that the resources spent for the implantation of the project cannot equate with the benefits derived from the production of fish by small-scale fish farming. It was felt that macroeconomic benefits would come from small water bodies (Vincke and Schmidt, 1991).

Some of the weaknesses of the project pointed out by the evaluation team were the poor allocation of funds to the purchase of equipment (e.g. the feed mill) and the failure to quantify targets, thereby failing to properly assess the progress of the project. Most of these failures have been ironed out in the second phase of the project. Overall, the project seems to have carried out the plans of research, training and extension rather successfully. Increases in number of ponds and farmers in the project area are given in Figure 5.

Table 6

Estimates of fish production from ponds and reservoirs

Figure 5.	Increases in pond and farmer number in the Northern Region of Malawi from December 1989 to March 1992 (Dickson, pers.comm., 1992)

1.7.2 The Malawi-German Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Project (MAGFAD)

The MAGFAD project, funded by GTZ, started with a pilot phase in April 1987 and hosted a workshop in May/June 1988 which led to a rough outline for a four-year implementation phase (October 1988 – September 1992). The aquaculture component of the project was aimed at developing, testing and introducing viable models of aquaculture into the Southern Region. This was to be achieved through the establishment, together with the extension service of the Fisheries Department, of extension centres in selected locations. It also sought to identify and use the self-help potential of target groups for aquaculture in areas in which the extension centres were located, to facilitate the adoption of aquaculture by small-scale farmers so that an assured supply of fresh fish to the general population of the extension areas would be secured.

When the project was evaluated in 1992, it was found that the target group - the small-scale farmers - were autonomous, i.e. they produced fingerlings by themselves. This was a positive result because it meant that the number of farmers would not drop in case the project phased out. Recommendations were made to actively involve women in the development of aquaculture. Reinforcement of existing links with research projects such as the ICLARM/GTZ-FD-UM Project was also encouraged. The project has since made its way toward fulfilling the recommendations.

1.7.3 The ICLARM/GTZ-FD-UM Project

The Project on Research for the Development of Tropical Aquaculture Technology Appropriate for Implementation in Rural Africa is funded by GTZ and implemented by ICLARM. Implementation started in 1986 at the National Aquaculture Centre at Domasi. The period between 1986–1991 was spent on socio-economic and biological studies. Table 7 gives a list of the studies conducted (ICLARM and GTZ, 1991).

The studies were carried out through collaborative work by ICLARM, the Fisheries Department, University of Malawi, and the Department of Research and Environmental Affairs. In addition, seven people were or will be awarded a Master degree by participating in the research. One is to be awarded a Ph.D. through the same process. All are Malawian nationals.

Table 7

Research subjects at the ICLARM/GTZ-FD-UM project (ICLARM and GTZ, 1991)

The 1992–94 phase is planned to emphasize biotechnical research, as well as on-farm and farming systems research. The latter, new component to the project, aims at involving a participatory approach to the measurement of the impact of integrated crop and animal-fish systems on the total farm environment as well as to “monitor field performance of biological research”. For instance, the study on the performance of a new species at the farm was initiated.

1.7.4 The ALCOM/ICLARM-FD Project on Small Water Bodies

An 18-month pilot project has been undertaken by ALCOM/FAO in collaboration with ICLARM and the Fisheries Department. Its objective is to study the fish species structure of selected small water bodies to enable the rapid assessment of their fisheries potential. The study is underway and results are yet to be finalized.

1.7.5 Fish farming project in the Mulanje/Phalombe districts

This was an ODA/U.K.-funded project executed in collaboration with the Malawi Government. In close cooperation with the Blantyre ADD, the objective of this project was to establish a centralized aquaculture station in the Mulanje district of the Southern Region to support local farmers with extension, as well as to train FD staff. Research was to focus on adaptive techniques suitable for local ecological and socio-economic conditions, and particularly on the culture of tilapia and common carp. Further, the project was to support fish farming in private estates, which are numerous in the Mulanje/Phalombe Districts, in order to improve the diet of labourers (ICLARM and GTZ, 1991).

Before the project was started in 1988, there were 74 farmers. Extension started in 1990, and by 1991 there were 146 fish farmers. The project phased out in 1992, and work is being continued by the Fisheries Department.

The project did not achieve some of the objectives. For instance, mirror carp was banned from the country in 1991.

2. AQUACULTURE RESEARCH

2.1 Description of the Sector

2.1.1 Main participants

Research in Malawi is mostly carried out by the public sector since it is meant to support the private sector with well-proven technologies either through on-station or on-farm research. The Fisheries Department is responsible for aquaculture research in the country. Research agendas on capture fisheries are spelt out in the development policy, but not aquaculture. Research, mostly applied research, is undertaken by the Department, in most cases on a short-term basis, dictated by the lifespan of the project. The latter is undertaken by the Department itself or, if donor-funded, in collaboration the Department.

The University of Malawi conducts research in aquaculture and has mostly been solving applied problems in supporting the Fisheries Department.

Recently, research has been enhanced by the National Coordination Committee Meeting, which drew participants from all the institutions involved in the national research. Researchers discussed collaboration in certain research areas. In some cases, research agendas were presented and discussed.

2.1.2 Objectives of research

By and large, aquaculture projects in the country were initiated in the light of the national development plans, although these plans, as pointed out earlier, were not clearly defined. The externally-funded research projects have had the responsibility to: (a) assess the problems in aquaculture and (b) design research programmes to solve them. This was done in collaboration/conjunction with local expertise. This is why for example, the CNRFFP was programmed in two phases. The first was to find out technological requirements and generate the technologies, while the second phase was to extend the technologies to the farmers.

The identification of the problems to be solved by research has been made through contacts with the potential users and through surveys. For example, surveys conducted by MAGFAD are to be relayed to research projects such as the ICLARM/GTZ-FD-UM project.

2.1.3 General orientation

Research in the country has been oriented much more toward biotechnological, social, economical and, to some extent, environmental subjects, in that order of importance.

Research on biotechnological aspects by the ICLARM/GTZ-FD-UM project are presented in Table 7 (see above). Other research has been conducted by the CNRFFP on new species in aquaculture, i.e. Oreochromis karongae and Clarias gariepinus. Research on fishing gear of small water bodies is conducted by the CNRFFP and the ALCOM project in all three regions of the country.

Sociological research was conducted by the ICLARM/GTZ-FD-UM project as outlined in Table 7. The CNRFFP conducted a socio-economic study in the Central and Northern Regions of Malawi using University of Malawi personnel. The MAGFAD has conducted several surveys in the Central and Southern Regions of Malawi.

Regarding micro-economics of the small-scale fish farmers, research has been done by ICLARM in collaboration with the University of Malawi on the labour demand of small-scale farmers. Evaluators calculated a few economic aspects (Mandeng, 1988; Vincke and Schmidt, 1991).

The ICLARM/GTZ-FD-UM project carried out collaborative research with University of Malawi when a snail-eating fish, Cycatora placodon, was tried as a bilharzia-controlling agent in fish ponds (Chiotha, 1990).

2.1.4 Available resources

The human, infrastructural and equipment resources are summarised in Table 8. Possibly due to low budgetary allocations to the whole Fisheries Department and to aquaculture (ICLARM and GTZ, 1991), the department has relied mostly on international assistance, in terms of finances, materials and education. The sources of funding for different projects/programmes (Table 9) clearly shows this.

2.1.5 Main research programmes

Table 9 summarizes research programmes conducted in Malawi.

2.2 Institutional Framework of the Sector

2.2.1 Administrative context of the public sector

Research programmes as pointed out earlier are identified by the Fisheries Department. Should these be felt to be important enough to require Government funds, proposals for the research programmes are sent to the parent Ministry, the Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources. The latter has several departments to look after, and the research programme is viewed in terms of the benefits which the proposed research is to contribute towards the national development plan. Once the case is properly justified and in the light of requirements from other departments under the ministry, the budget is presented to the Ministry of Finance, where budget allocations are made.

When the budget is approved, the money is put in the Treasury, from where the department is supposed to draw its financing as per the programme. Once the programme is being executed, the purchases and expenses are accounted for. The research results usually publicized through reports can then be used to justify requirement for future activities. However, as pointed earlier, few programmes have ever been allocated any funds.

2.2.2 Tasks delegated to research

Since the value of research is discussed at professional, and not administrative, level, research is given a high priority as a means to support existing development and/or renovate or diversify the aquaculture development schemes. This is very clear in the discussions of the National Aquaculture Coordination Committee.

For instance, the formulation of a national development strategy was suggested at the Third National Aquaculture Coordination Committee of 16–17 January 1991 as follows:

“3/115. The Committee agreed on the need to formulate a national aquaculture strategy for Malawi.”

The outline which was subsequently suggested stipulates the utilization of research results (see 3, Appendix).

Table 8

Resources available for aquaculture research in Malawi

¹TA = Technical Assistant;
TO = Technical Officer;
STO = Senior Technical Officer;
STA = Senior Technical Assistant

* Included under Mzuzu

Table 9

Main research programmes in Malawi

Table 10

Results from main research programmes

Table 11

Priorities for aquaculture development in Malawi

Table 12

Priorities for research in Malawi

2.3 Contribution of Research to Development

2.3.1 Collaboration research-production: Reasons

In Malawi, the producers have in many cases been involved in developing aquaculture research. For instance, the research priorities developed by ICLARM/GTZ-FD-UM project directly resulted from the surveys conducted to identify the aquaculture needs of the farmers.

Producers voluntarily participate in aquaculture research in the ICLARM/GTZ-FD-UM project. There are eight farmers who are currently involved in aquaculture research (Chikafumbwa, pers.comm.).

The strengthening of collaboration between extension and research is also one of the recommendations made by evaluators of CNRFFP and MAGFAD.

2.3.2 Collaboration research-production: Subjects

This collaboration has been developed on (a) technical subjects - lack of proper species for aquaculture is a major problem (producers have participated in evaluating the performance of new species in aquaculture, and (b) social subjects - collaboration has also developed in the organization of farm systems. Through a participatory approach, farmers are able to draw out their farm lay-out and recognize links which can be developed among units on the household. This is carried out by the ICLARM/GTZ-FD-UM project. Such technologies as rice-fish are adopted by farmers through such an approach by the same project.

2.3.3 Collaboration research-production: Mechanisms

A multi-disciplinary approach to the transfer of technology from researchers to extensionists and producers is desired. The ICLARM/GTZ-FD-UM project arranges “open days” where producers accompanied by extensionists come to the station to look and assess the developed technologies. Similar demonstrations are organised by MAGFAD in extension centres. Researchers interact and get comments from producers. This supplements the information extensionists feed to the researchers.

Pamphlets and/or information kits are found useful to both field extensionists and farmers. The pamphlets and information kits, in the case of MAGFAD, are produced in close collaboration with researchers. A workshop was hosted in 1992 by the extension sub-committee of the National Coordination Committee where MAGFAD is the organizing project. Researchers from all the projects in the country convened and agreed on the material to be passed to the farmers. Extensionists played a role to translate what the researchers wrote into what can be understood by field extensionists and farmers. The workshop produced documents to be included in an information kit.

2.3.4 Results obtained

Results obtained by the research programmes are summarized in Table 10.

3 DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH PRIORITIES IN AQUACULTURE

3.1 Priorities for Development

The development priorities in the country are being defined. The definition of priority lines was initiated by the National Coordination Committee. At present, this process is being coordinated at the Fisheries Department's Headquarters, where the planning unit is assisted by an EC-funded international expert. The expert works in close collaboration with national personnel as well as expartriate staff of different projects.

Based on the national meetings and the trends presented above, the most likely priority lines of development are presented in Table 11.

3.2 Priorities for Research

The process of choosing research priorities is similar to the choice of options for development. This also involved meetings of the National Coordination Committee. The current research thrusts for each project were highlighted at the meetings. As for extension, a research sub-committee was also formed and the ICLARM/GTZ-FD-UM project was chosen as the organiser. Based on meetings of this research sub-committee and the information presented above, the most likely priorities for research are presented in Table 12.

REFERENCES

Balarin, J.D., 1987. National reviews for aquaculture development in Africa. 12. Malawi. FAO Fish.Circ., (770.12):82 p.

Borges-Altvater, U., 1992. Report of the project progress, review mission. MAGFAD (unpublished)

Brooks, A.C., 1992. Viability of commercial fish farming in Malawi - a short study. Central and Northern Regions Fish Farming Project, Mzuzu, Malawi

Chiotha, S.S., 1990. Biological control of human schistosomiasis using snail-eating fish. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Maryland (unpublished)

ICLARM and GTZ, 1991. The context of small-scale integrated agriculture-aquaculture systems in Africa: a case study of Malawi. ICLARM Stud.Rev., (18):302 p.

Janke, A., 1991. Report and recommendations on fish farming in Dedza Hills RDP. MAGFAD (unpublished)

Vincke, M.N.J. and U.W. Schmidt, 1991. European Economic Community (EEC)/Government of Malawi's report on the mid-term evaluation of the Central and Northern Regions Fish Farming Project.