Title : Aquaculture and mari-culture development in Malawi: Gaps, constraints and unmet needs
Abstract:
Background
Though there is great potential, the development of aquaculture and mari-culture in Malawi continues to lag behind though it is a sure and reliable alternative to the dwindling quantities of fish from capture fisheries.
Other studies have revealed that the volumes of fish caught from capture fisheries have been dropping every year. Realising this challenge government of Malawi formulated different policies and ratified some international frameworks and policies whose objectives are to promote intensive fish farming methods in aquaculture and mari-culture. However there are several gaps, constraints and unmet needs in aquaculture and mari-culture development in Malawi as highlighted below.
Study Objective(s) and Methodology
A Study was conducted to explore gaps, constraints and un met needs in aquaculture and mari-culture development in Malawi. The study used FGDs, IDIs) and a SITAN as data collection tools. Respondents included 8 aquaculture clubs and 13 individual smallholder fish farmers. In total the study had 42 respondents from five EPAs in Mangochi and Balaka districts respectively. Data was being analysed on a continuous basis using tally sheets.
Key Findings
The study documented the following as some of the gaps, constraints and unmet needs affecting the development of aquaculture and mari-culture in Malawi.
- Lack of Capacity: Fish pond construction requires special expertise of which many smallholder fish farmers lack capacity ranging from knowledge and lack of financial muscle as well as equipment.
- Extensive Pollution and Unreliable water supply: Upland agricultural activities in some cases pollute the water in the ponds with chemical fertilisers, pesticides and other pollutants.
Lack of fingerlings and feeds: Smallholder fish farmers lack fish multiplication technologies and improved feeds
