Promotion Of Aquaculture Research Articles

Review on the role of women along the aquaculture value chain in Kenya

Aquaculture is perceived as masculine work in most regions despite several years of women’s involvement in the sector. Women participate in almost all activities of the aquaculture value chain such as pond construction, sorting of seeds, fertilization of ponds, making and mending of fishing gears, fish harvesting, processing, value addition, transport, and marketing. The majority of women engage in aquaculture to earn income and food for the household. Women’s involvement in aquaculture has led to the creation of more job opportunities thus increasing income generation for rural women. Nevertheless, women face several challenges in aquaculture with the most critical one being limited access to income despite their heavy involvement. They also lack limited access to certified seed, high cost of feeds, and collaterals to access credit. The promotion of aquaculture, gender equity, and empowerment of women and youths has been promoted through various initiatives including Sustainable Development Goals and Blue Economy. However, gender discrepancies are still high despite both gender playing fundamental roles in aquaculture development. Therefore, there is a need to promote gender equity as it will lead to recognition of their full potential towards increasing production, productivity, processing, trade, and economic growth.

Aquaculture: To Achieve Economic Development in Bihar, India-A Review

The contribution of aquaculture and fisheries to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is considered as one of the most important indicators for assessing the economic performance of the country. A large section of Bihar’s population relies on agriculture, animal husbandry, and fishing for their livelihood. The fisheries sector plays a critical role in ensuring nutritional security and creating employments. The culture and consumption of fish therefore has important implications for national income and food security. Bihar’s entire fish output in 2019 was estimated 0.64 mt, contributing 1.5% of the State’s total Gross Domestic Product (SGDP). However, the occurrence of annual saga in terms of floods and drought, rather than lack of recent advancement in aquaculture are the major challenges for the development of aquaculture in Bihar. Despite the fact that the state’s momentum in aquaculture over the last decade propelled it to fourth place in inland fish production and sixth place in freshwater seed production in India. The substantial investments in fisheries sector in the State can improve the income of farmers. The State’s aquaculture production can be further enhanced by harnessing the bestowed fishery resources at a sustainable level with approaches for acceleration in fish production such as promotion of aquaculture in wetlands, species and technological diversification for aquaculture, extension of improved aquaculture technology, realization the scope of integrated fish farming, establishing of fish hatchery, assembling of fish market and supply chain and propagation of ornamental fish activities.

Sustainable livelihood alternatives among Nile perch (Lates niloticus) fishers in Lake Victoria Tanzania: analytical hierarchy process (AHP) approach

Sustainable livelihood has been a focal point in many development initiatives by private and public sectors in most African countries. However artisanal fishers in the main lakes of Africa are faced with several alternative decisions to improve their livelihood sustainably. Several studies which have been conducted in Africa offered various options using different models such as sustainable livelihood approach/framework (SLA). This study provides different decision-making alternatives using multi-criteria decision model known as analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to assess the most economical and sustainable livelihood options for Nile perch fishers in Lake Victoria Tanzania. Using structured questionnaires and key informant interviews, different strategic criteria such as environment, economic, social and technology were analyzed and the study found that, important factor in the strategic criteria is environment. Moreover, different livelihood alternatives which include livelihood diversification, fisheries co-management and promotion of aquaculture were analyzed. The study found that livelihood diversification which implies diversifying income-generating activities was identified as the best alternative model for sustainable livelihood development. The study recommends proper income diversification interventions and environment management for the sustainability of Nile perch fishers’ livelihood and fishery resources in Lake Victoria.

Gender analysis of participatory needs assessment of Emeroke community of Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria: implications for agricultural extension interventions

This study was designed to gender-analyze the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) that was facilitated at Emeroke community in Akwa Ibom State and examine the implications of the findings for agricultural extension interventions. The exercise revealed that there were about 200 households in the community and the average number of persons per household was ten. About 50%, 26% and 24% of the total households (THHs) were food insecured/core poor, medium food insecured/ poor and food secured/non poor respectively. Female headed households (FHHs) constituted about 25% of the total households and about 48% of the food insecured category. The findings further showed that there was gender division of labour. The major occupations of the men and women were fishing and fish processing respectively. The community had a 24- hour daily activity profile due to night fishing in the high seas by the men while women were busy throughout the day. There were poor access and control of fishing and farming technologies, inputs, credit and extension services which was worse for the women. The agriculture related problem prioritized by men was lack of fishing inputs while the women indicated inefficient fish processing methods. It was recommended that extension interventions in the community should facilitate formation of commodity associations to ensure effective resource mobilization and delivery of technologies and inputs. Targeting women, promotion of aquaculture, intensification of cropping and diversification into livestock through Fadama activities will improve productivity and ensure sustainable development. Keywords: Gender, Analysis, Participatory, Extension, Nigeria

Future of Rice-Fish Culture, Desert Aquaculture and Feed Development in Africa: The Case of Egypt as the Leading Country in Africa

World aquaculture production in 2002 reached 39.8 million metric tons (Mt). However, despite a general understanding that the advancement of aquaculture is very important for food security and poverty alleviation, aquaculture in Africa is insignificant compared to the rest of the world. African aquaculture contributed only 1.2% (463 x 10 3 Mt) of world aquaculture production. Moreover, our calculation based on FAO statistics revealed that the average per capita consumption of fish in Africa decreased from 9 kg in 1990 to 7.8 kg in 2001. This decrease in the per capita consumption offish appears to be a threatening sign for food security in Africa. There are many political, economic and technical issues that are obstructing the development and promotion of aquaculture in Africa. Egypt, the desert but rice producing country, has a long history of aquaculture and is the leading producer, especially of freshwater aquaculture in Africa. Total aquaculture production in Egypt in 2002 was 376 x 10 3 Mt, which supplied 81% of that in Africa. In the present review, based on the case of Egypt, we propose measures and research areas to develop and promote rice-fish culture and desert aquaculture. Rice-fish culture is a model of aquaculture styles for wet and pluvial regions, and desert aquaculture is also a model for arid and semi-arid regions not only in Egypt but also for other African countries. Poor knowledge on fish feeds and feeding technology is one of the major constraints in the expansion of aquaculture. In order to improve and increase the productivity of aquaculture in Africa, we propose measures and research subjects for developing supplementary and complete feeds using regional ingredients.

Backward Boycotts: Demand Management and Fishery Conservation

Recent efforts to conserve fisheries stocks have included such demand-side measures as consumer boycotts to reduce demand for specific species, and the promotion of aquaculture to reduce pressure on natural stocks. This article argues that these sorts of measures can be counter-productive. The economics of the commercial fishing industry are such that decreasing demand for particular species can often have the perverse effect of increasing industry effort to catch them. This means that consumer boycotts or efforts to promote aquaculture can have the effect of accelerating, rather than ameliorating, the depletion of overfished stocks. This proposition is tested on a panel data set, covering several species over a period of almost two decades, drawn from the New England fishery. We conclude that effective conservation of depleted fisheries requires supply-side regulation such as quotas.

A systems approach for the promotion of integrated aquaculture*

A broad definition of integrated aquaculture based on linkages between human activities in general rather than on agriculture (including aquaculture) specifically, has merit. This recognizes that the world is changing rapidly and is becoming increasingly diverse and complex; by the end of the millennium more people will live in urban/industrial than rural areas. A framework comprising three interrelated aspects (production technology, social and economic aspects, and environmental aspects) is presented to facilitate study of sustainable farms. The need for a systems approach, which recognizes that integrated aquaculture comprises a range of systems involving various interrelated factors, is illustrated by reference to widespread misconceptions concerning two integrated culture systems: the dyke‐pond system of south China, and feedlot livestock/fish. The case is made that the major constraints facing the promotion of aquaculture are the limited ability of developing countries to assimilate existing technology and limited local capacity in education, research and development. A conceptual framework for the promotion of integrated aquaculture is also presented. The framework comprises theory and practice interrelated with human resources or capacity as a better understanding of the former would facilitate the activities of the actors or players, the latter, who promote or execute aquaculture. National institutes should promote aquaculture in their areas of influence following a farming systems research and extension methodology. Furthermore, financial and technical assistance would be more effective if it were better co‐ordinated.