Family – Based Climate Smart Aquaculture in Africa Can it make a difference? Dr Sloans Chimatiro , Senior Fisheries Advisor, NEPAD Agency John Linton, Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich
In our presentation we will • Say why we think that fish as food and nutrition is important to Africa • Show why growth in African fisheries and aquaculture value chains is urgently needed • Demonstrate why this is most likely to come from aquaculture • Consider the risks and examine whether this can be achieved • Consider the role of small-scale, family and community-based operations • Present an example of outstanding success • Ask what can be done to replicate this throughout Africa
Our presentation draws on recent experience in three projects: • The Partnership for Fisheries Governance and Trade, implemented by NEPAD Agency and funded by DFID; www.africanfisheries.org • The NEPAD-FAO Fish Programme, implemented by NEPAD and FAO and funded by SIDA • ‘Aquaculture in Africa – Unlocking the potential’, a research project funded through the DFID AgriTT programme, implemented by an international team led by NRI; www.agritt.org
Fish is an important part of the diet in many African countries Source: State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, 2014; FAO
Fisheries and aquaculture is important to African economies • US$ 24 billion in Gross Value Added – 1.26% of total GDP in Africa • 6.02% of Gross value Added of agricultural contribution • Over 12 million employed – 7 million fisheries, 5 million processors • 27% of employees females (4% are fish farmers) • 1 million fish farmers generating US$ 3 billion per year Source: The Value of African Fisheries, NPCA/FAO Fisheries Project, 2014
But this is not enough Although the production of livestock has increased in developing countries, the consumption of protein in these countries with people consuming the most limited amounts of protein are continually decreasing. Undernutrition, including insufficient consumption of protein, remains a persistent problem in the developing world, and although many diets within these developing countries are deficient in the quantity of protein compared to recommendations, the quality of the protein also strongly comes into focus. As global population increases, demand for protein will increase. Dietary protein quality and malnutrition in Africa. Schönfeldt HC, Gibson Hall N., Br J Nutr. 2012
Global populations will grow and demand for food will rise
Particularly in Africa
Can African fisheries and aquaculture meet this need? FAO suggests not Source: State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, 2014; FAO
Food Production from capture fisheries is not likely to grow very much 9 000 Thousands 8 000 7 000 6 000 Tonnes 5 000 Actual 4 000 Forecast 3 000 2 000 1 000 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Source: State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, 2014; FAO
But food production from fish farming has been growing and is expected to continue Aquaculture Production in Africa 2 500 000 2 000 000 1 500 000 1 000 000 500 000 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Actual Forecast Source: State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, 2014; FAO
But it needs to be better than this, just to stand still 9 000 000 8 000 000 7 000 000 6 000 000 Actual 5 000 000 Forecast Have to have 4 000 000 Nice to have 3 000 000 2 000 000 1 000 000 - 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
And elsewhere Source: FAO Statistics, Various
Aquaculture can be climate-smart and have low environmental impact Myth: Aquaculture harms the environment. Fact: Aquaculture best practice has minimal environmental impact. Water consumption is low, if not non- existent; Greenhouse emissions lower by an order of magnitude than those from other protein production systems. Myth: Aquaculture is based on feeding fishmeal to fish. This makes no sense. Fact: Yes, fish meal is an essential element in feed. However fishmeal as a % of feed has dropped by about half in the last 10 years. Also the fish used for fishmeal doesn’t have many other uses.
Aquaculture can be relevant for family farms Myth: Fish is highly perishable. The potential for post-harvest losses constrains its potential. Fact: Fish has been traded throughout Africa for time immemorial. PHL through spoilage in particular is a consideration, not a constraint. A robust value chain will solve this. Myth: Aquaculture is difficult to develop in rural Africa. Inputs are expensive and hard to get, infrastructure poor and the process is sophisticated. Fact: Between 2003 and 2010 aquaculture in Africa grew by 166% - 12% year on year based on low-external input integrated aquaculture. Indications are that the trend is continuing. Myth: A successful aquaculture sector depends on Country Tonnes % increase % increase large scale investments, beyond the reach 2012 2009-12 2003-12 of your average family farm Egypt 1,017,783 44% 129% Fact: While it is true that large scale investment Nigeria 253,898 66% 728% gives the big numbers, there is a real and Uganda 95,906 25% 1644% relevant role for the family farm. Small Kenya 21,488 339% 2023% scale farming is predominant in Africa Zambia 12,988 53% 189% Ghana 27,540 284% 2826% Sub-total 1,429,468 50% 193% Total All 1,625,330 49% 166% Africa Source: Adapted from FAO (2014) Ghana Egypt
As can be seen in Nigeria Eriwe Fish Farm Village was developed under the auspices of the Ijebu Development Initiative on Poverty Reduction (IDIPR) in 2001. Today it has some 56 groups of 1,037 members. Each group has 2 ponds where they grow catfish for sale. They have about 1.5 cycles per year. Financial management is provided through IDIPR Eriwe Farm Village Source: Aquaculture in Africa – Unlocking the Potential; 1 st Interim Report , 2014
Where family farms are clustered The complex occupies some 150 hectares of customary land, allocated by the local King. (To give a sense of scale, the little green square is the size of a football field)
Access to inputs, support and information is shared The complex is fully integrated and has its own feed mill • and hatchery The feed mill and hatchery run as independent • economic entities – The feed mill is owned by IDIPR and the hatchery is franchised out. Their location and proximity to the ponds means that • there is a very close link between the family fish farmers and their inputs. The hatchery / nursery produces 1 million fingerlings • per years , currently enough for the farmers needs. Joining members undergo training at IDIPR. Ponds are • dug by hand and capital inputs are minimal. The major up front cost is feed. This is met through the • credit scheme run by IDIPR.
Effective links have been built with the market they serve Fish is sold through a network of middlemen / traders, with whom the farmers • have built good relationships over the years. Fish is transported live to markets as far away as Kano (900km) • Innovation and coordination minimises post-harvest losses • Interacting with traders Fish ready for transport to market
It is economically, environmentally and operationally sustainable • Each pond is stocked with 3,000 fish per cycle. These will deliver 2,850 fish table size fish, total weight 5-6 tonnes. Annual production from the two ponds is 16 tonnes. • Fish is sold to middle men at approximately US$2.25 per kg. Prices vary marginally. • Cost of production is approximately US$1.40 • Net income from two ponds ( the operational unit) is between US$10,000 and 15,000. • And the cluster keeps on growing. In 2007 there were 10 groups, producing 300 tonnes. Today the figure is over 50 groups producing 1,500 tonnes
Eriwe Village Farms have a major nutritional impact • In 2013 Eriwe Village Farms produced and sold slightly over 1500 tonnes of product. • All their product was made available in Nigeria • This is enough to provide the protein needs for 20,000 women of child bearing age or 60,000 babies in the first 1000 days of life** ** Based on daily protein requirement of 45g per female adult and 13 g per child; Protein content in fish = 20%
Eriwe Village Farms have a major nutritional impact This is what 60,000 people looks like
Are these results relevant and replicable? Yes they are ! For: • It is not only Eriwe Farm that has demonstrated success • There is and there will continue to be strong market demand for fish • Demand is such that significant growth can be absorbed • In the face of a demonstrable business opportunity, the value chain has proven itself to be infinitely innovative and adaptable. Against: • Climate change can impact on access to vital natural resources • Policy can dis-incentivise innovators and investors • Unmanaged expansion can have unwanted side effects (disease, pollution etc.) • So much effort, so many failures! The ‘Give a dog a bad name’ effect
Recommend
More recommend
