34 MARCH 2014 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG • Building the capacity of small-scale farmers within a farmer-to-farmer extension concept to improve and sustain extension services at the local level. Lead farmers in every village of the project area were identified and trained in basic aquaculture techniques, from pond construction to the production of marketable fish. They were also trained in extension delivery skills, including leadership and group dynamics. This arrangement formed the basis for more farmer organization for marketing of their fish and crop products. The results of this project were remarkable: • Twenty-one potential fingerling producers were originally identified but 38 eventually participated, producing 218,000 fingerlings. • Two hundred thirteen new ponds were constructed, of which 152 were stocked with quality fingerlings by year-end. • Twelve demonstrations were given by several farmers who conducted open field days. Farmers reported achieving tilapia production rates of 1,800-3,200 kg/ha, considerably greater than pre-project rates of 800-1,000 kg/ha. • A brochure on best practice for quality fingerling production was developed. • Seventy-one lead farmers were identified and trained in small-scale fish production. • Two hundred seventy-eight farmers were trained in IAA methodology. • Nearly 270 ponds were integrated with maize and vegetable production. • The satisfaction of local demand for fingerlings led to the need for a fingerling marketing system to supply farmers beyond the Mavwere Area. • An aquaculture production booklet in the Chichewa language was produced. • A community-based monitoring and evaluation system was established. Recently I asked the question “Has our assistance been of lasting impact?” and received the following response from Malawi1. The availability of improved quality fingerlings has led to improved fish yields in the project area and areas around, a lasting impact greatly appreciated by the beneficiaries. Fish farmers used to catch fingerlings from rivers or recycle the fish which they had in their ponds. This had a negative effect on their fish as they never grew. The AwF helped to train specialized fingerling producers. Another important impact is the outscaling of the project activities even after the project’s life span. Communities around Mavwere and the Eastern Province of Zambia have copied the IAA examples and the empowerment approach through Community-Based Monitoring and Evaluation that the project instituted. The Department of Fisheries has identified the project area as a focal site for developing aquaculture under the Presidential Initiative on Aquaculture Development (PIAD). The department is now establishing a fish farming scheme; so far 15 ponds of 1 ha each have been constructed and given to a women’s club for fish production. Some specific examples about the impact on project beneficiaries are given in Box 3 and illustrated in Figure 4. Olive Njolomole’s story provides a thought-provoking example of the powerful effect that modest projects like ours can generate for individuals. Our training has not only provided her with a modest income and a career but also moved her into voluntary extension work – so much more valuable than one-shot food aid. Since the days when I worked in Thailand, I have always believed that the best form of extension is farmer-to-farmer observation. FIGURE 5. A husband and wife digging a pond as part of the Aquaculture without Frontiers project in Nepal (Photo: Ram Bhujel). (a) (b) FIGURE 6. AwF-AIT Nepal project activities. (a) Fry transport. (b) Hapa for nursing fry (Photos: Ram Bhujel).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjExNDY=