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In Malawi, fish production from aquaculture is estimated at only 500 mt per year with small holder farmers producing 80 mt while commercial fish farmers and small
water bodies producing 360 and 60 mt, respectively. Aquaculture contributes about 0.07% of the total fish production in Malawi. However fish farming is of great
social and economic significance and has high potential in Malawi. Fish farming, particularly when integrated with agriculture, may enhance:
(a) cultivation of marginal lands;
(b) recycling of crop residues as pond inputs,
(c) use of fishponds as water catchments points for irrigation,
(d) processing of crop waste and livestock waste into fertilizer and
(e) control water supply thereby reducing floods
This study was conducted to investigate factors that affect adoption of fish farming in Mchinji Rural Development Program, in the central region of Malawi. Using logit analysis the study showed that sex, age, dimba (wetland) size and livestock ownership were important parameters in determining the adoption of fish farming.
The results from this study have significant implications on fish farming development in Malawi. It has been noted that promoting fish farming alone while isolating other agricultural activities might not work. Therefore integrating agriculture, fish farming and livestock production may help farmers adopt fish farming.
Livestock is a catalyst for fish farming and hence should be promoted. This requires a holistic approach. The cooperation and coordination with other agencies like agriculture and non-governmental organizations may be essential. This is also a challenge to extension staff as they will be required to assist both in agriculture production as well as fish farming. This requires re-training the extension staff to let them acquire new knowledge in face of the new challenges.
Since women were less likely to adopt fish farming, deliberate effort should be made to reach out to these women as away of empowering them. Women, especially those who are household head, must be involved in food production to ensure food security for their families. Training women in fish farming would assist in bringing in confidence they lack due to their low level education. |
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