Integrated Fish Farming in the Context Of World Food Security

Abstract

This chapter focuses on freshwater aquaculture in ponds, lakes and reservoirs because that is where integrated fish farming has its greatest potential in the foreseeable future. Integrated fish farming can make a significant contribution to food security for lower income people in the developing world. Integrated fish farming is a special type of aquaculture system which meets a number of the conditions necessary to contribute to food security. The main consequence of this type of aquaculture is to increase the local supply of fish protein. Its major constraints are likely to revolve around each country’s ability to expand its aquatic growing area, and the management of water resources to increase productivity. An underlying premise of the food security concept is that food production will be able to keep pace with increases in population growth. A key factor in the sustainability of Inland aquaculture is the availability water, since it is already in high demand for agriculture.