Tilapia culture by farmers in Luapula Province, Zambia
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In 1988, ALCOM carried out a fish farmer survey in Luapula Province of Zambia in cooperation with the Department of Fisheries. Field work was done during June-August 1988. The purposes of the survey were: to describe the current situation of fish farmers and to find out how it can be improved; to identify the farmer who is likely to successfully raise fish in ponds; to describe how the farmers do that; and, to identify the constraints which farmers face. Agriculture in Luapula Provin ce is carried out at a subsistence level. Farmers spread their risks and assure their own sustenance by culturing several crops and by engaging in off-farm activities. A relatively small part of their total incomes is in the form of cash. About half of the adult male population in the province engage in capture fisheries or ancillary activities. In 1985 the production was estimated at about 23 000 tons. The conditions for fish farming are good. Land and water are available, and the population eat fish. About 280 farmers in the province engaged in fish farming in 1988. The survey was intended to cover about 25% of the practising farmers plus intending farmers. This meant a goal of 100 interviews. The survey was preceded by a Department of Fisheries census to identify existing (and past) farmers with fish ponds. The interviews were carried out during two visits in the course of June and August 1988. The survey team consisted of an aquaculturist and a social science graduate. Altogeth er 94 interviews were carried out of which 51 were with practising fish farmers, 20 with former fish farmers and 23 with potential fish farmers. The survey questionnaires were designed by ALCOM and slightly modified after their use in the North-Western Province.