14 MARCH 2013 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG A pump house was built near the outlet structure of one pond and an electric pump was installed inside (Fig. 4). The pump draws water from one pond and sends it to the crop fields for irrigation. The intention is to minimize fertilizer inputs to crop fields by using water for fish farming and, later, directing nutrient-enriched water from ponds to crop fields. Issues During Project Start-Up During initiation of the aquaculture project, the group of farmers at the irrigation scheme split into two groups. One group, led by the former chairperson, wanted to own the aquaculture project without involving the other farmers, resulting in the new group registering its own cooperative separately. The conflict that erupted between the two groups of farmers delayed construction of the production system. It also delayed the process of developing tender documents, advertising, evaluating and appointing the contractor. In April 2011, the LDA intervened to save the situation by initiating meetings with the local chief to get a tribal resolution, which binds the legitimate group to own the proposed aquaculture project. A tribal resolution was issued in favor of the original group of 45 farmers operating in the irrigation scheme. Farmers were compelled to rejoin the PIFC. This meant that, collectively, farmers had to own both aquaculture and crop farming. In March 2011, before commencement of the proposed project activities, the LDA and PIFC farmers approached the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), which is the government department responsible for issuing permits to regulate the initiation of development projects. The LEDET is responsible for environmental protection under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and the Limpopo Environmental Management Act (LEMA). Aquaculture is one of the activities regulated by the LEDET. In May 2011, the LEDET issued an exemption to the PIFC to perform aquaculture activities because the size and nature of the envisaged aquaculture activities did not warrant an environmental impact assessment. Farmers also obtained water rights from the Department of Water Affairs to irrigate and do aquaculture. Training and Capacity Building Pond construction and training were executed simultaneously to entrench farmers’ ownership of the project. During May 2012, the first group of 25 farmers went to Tompi Seleka Community College of Technology for a two-week program to acquire basic aquaculture skills. The training program covered identification and handling of different fish species, stocking of fish in a pond, feeding, netting and harvesting, and marketing. The training was part of preparations to operate and manage the ponds of the Phetwane project. Site meetings were held monthly to monitor progress against the plans and to do quality checking. Such meetings involved farmers, consulting engineers, contractors and officials from the LDA. Farmers were part of any decision made on anything concerning the project. This arrangement empowered them to participate fully in their own development activities. Outcomes The aquaculture production system was designed, constructed and successfully completed within a scheduled period of time. The system was linked with the irrigation system (crop production fields) through the system pump into the main pumping station. The system was filled with water from Buffelsdooring Dam through the canal, tested and found to be operating efficiently. The system and process can be replicated easily in other districts of Limpopo Province, especially in irrigation schemes with aquaculture potential. Notes 1* Head of Aquaculture Unit at the Limpopo Department of Agriculture, Limpopo Province, Private Bag 9487, Polokwane, 0700, South Africa. Tel: +27 15 294 3000, Fax: +27 15 294 4504. Corresponding Author: E-mail: phosamj@ agric.limpopo.gov.za Acknowledgments It is with great pleasure to thank the following people who contributed towards the success of this project: Phillip Magane (Chairperson of Phetwane Irrigation Farmer Cooperative Ltd); Marius Kolesky and Barend Marx (Consulting Engineers, MBB Consulting Services, Neslpruit); Limpopo Department of Agriculture officials Ali Ramaboea (Engineering, Sekhukhune district office), Mrs. Swana – Ephraim (Mogale municipality), Martinus Gouws (Engineering Division, Polokwane), Irene Maponya and Rhiranzho Mkhari (Aquaculture Division, Polokwane). References Maleri, M., D. du Plessis and K. Salie. 2008. Assessment of the interaction between cage aquaculture and water quality in irrigation storage dams and canal systems: Water Research Commission. Report No. 1461/1/08 Rouhani, Q. A. and P. J. Britz. 2004. Contribution of aquaculture to rural livelihoods in South Africa: Baseline Study. Water Research Commission. Project No.1466. Inland (freshwater) aquaculture development is dependent on the sustainable use of available resources. Aquaculture provides a unique opportunity to contribute to socioeconomic development, food security and human resource development through multiple and sustainable use of water resources. One opportunity lies in the integration of aquaculture into existing agricultural development without increased consumptive use of water resources
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