Adoption and viability criteria for semi-intensive fish farming
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The sub-project “Development of semi-intensive aquaculture” was started in Tanzania in 1993 by the Fisheries Division at the Ministry of Tourism, Natural Resources and Environment, Tanzania; Sokoine University of Agriculture; and ALCOM. As its first activity, a study was carried out in Ruvuma and Mbeya Regions to identify adoption and viability criteria for semi-intensive fish farming on which the present report is based. The purpose of the study was to assist the sub-project in identifying area s suitable for carrying out on-farm trials in Morogoro Region and design extension packages. Two to three weeks were spent in a village in each of the two regions. The methods undertaken included interviews with key informants, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and semi-structured interviews with semi-intensive fish farmers. In each of the two villages, only a minor number of fish farmers manage their ponds semi-intensively, i.e. feed the fish at least two times per week and fertilize the pond at least once per week. Feeds include maize bran, vegetable leaves, kitchen waste and local brew leftovers, while fertilizer is animal manure (cow and goat dung and chicken droppings). Estimated yields among these farmers range between 0.7 and 5 t/ha/year. Fish farming competes with other farm activities for land (vegetable gardening), labour, capital and on-farm by-products. Integration among the various farm activities, including fish farming, is a common practice. Knowledge about fis h farming and the priority given to it affects the allocation of these factors and hence the level of management. Knowledge about fish farming is most often obtained from other fish farmers. However, visits by US Peace Corps Volunteers, Fisheries Officers and researchers have often encouraged farmers to start fish farming and to improve the management of their ponds. Social and cultural values favour fish farming. No taboos were identified.