The survey shows that there is potential, in terms of resources available and current farming practices, to increase fish pond production on homestead ponds in Lubombo region. The need for improved aquaculture practices and extension services is confirmed. Further analysis is needed to quantify these conclusions. Activities are proposed for the rehabilitation phase of the pilot project which will develop fish farming potential and address identified needs.
Improved fish culture systems for Lubombo Region should make efficient use of on-farm resources and produce large fish, preferably clarias. The following activities are proposed:
The rehabilitation phase will focus on a limited group of farmers and deliver technical fish farming advice. A system of direct intervention by Fisheries Section staff, rather than using MoAC extension officers, should be used during this phase.
In the long term the Fisheries Section should adopt a strategy of delivering quality services to a limited number of productive fish farmers directly, while supporting a higher volume of low-level technical services to subsistence farmers through MoAC extension officers.
This implies the following activities during the rehabilitation phase:
Further analysis of the socio-economic data base should be carried out as recommend in the survey report and discussed in Section 3 above.
Key indicators should be monitored for farmers participating in trials to measure the impact of using new fish farming practices. The findings should be incorporated into final technical packages. In particular, the impact on nutrition and income should be measured.
It is anticipated that improved fish farming practices will lead to higher fish production with a surplus for disposal off-farm. A marketing study should be carried out which describes opportunities and strategies for selling fish among homesteads and in local market centers. The potential to export fish outside the Lubombo Region should also be investigated.
