In discussions on overall aid requirements for aquaculture the meeting took into account some of the special characteristics of aquaculture that are significant in connexion with the procurement of aid.
Aquaculture can be organized as either small- or large-scale enterprises, adopting the level of intensification desired by the operators. It conforms very closely with the priority areas of concentration of many aid-giving agencies, as is evident from the following. Aquaculture is accepted as a major means of increasing food production, especially of animal proteins in developing countries, including the Least Developed Countries (LDC's) and the Most Seriously Affected Countries (MSA's). It can contribute substantially to the improvement of the economy and living conditions of the rural poor, generate more employment in rural areas so as to reduce unemployment and under-employment in developing countries. Through increased food production it contributes to the achievement of self-sufficiency in fishery production and in many cases save or earn much-needed foreign exchange. Aquaculture is an important means of protecting aquatic areas from pollution and other environmental degradation through compatible management measures adopted in farming. In spite of such close conformity of objectives, the quantum of aid given to aquaculture by donor agencies continues to be small.
The meeting discussed some of the reasons for the limited flow of aid to aquaculture. Being a labour-intensive type of industry, aquaculture in developing countries utilizes only very limited equipment and even major inputs like feed will normally be produced locally using local ingredients to make the operation economically feasible. So aid in the form of equipment has only limited relevance in aquaculture. Expertise in this field, particularly in tropical aquaculture, is scarce in donor countries and this also acts as a deterrent to greater involvement of donors. But probably the most important factor appeared to be the unfamiliarity of the field and lack of information on the profitability and success of aquaculture enterprises. On the other hand failures of some of the ill-conceived projects have received wide publicity, creating the image of an unprofitable industry, not contributing very much to fishery production. During discussions on this point, it was suggested that early action should be taken to compile information on successful aquaculture programmes and to present it in a manner that will be understood and appreciated by donors and financiers. A reliable data base, particularly of relative economics, has to be developed to facilitate decision-making by aid-giving agencies. It was pointed out in this connexion that demands are often made, as a pre-requisite for aid, that aquaculture should fulfil criteria that other, even long-established and well-supported food production enterprises, are unable to meet. Some of the reluctance to risk aid may be traced to the lack of adequate legislative support for aquaculture enterprises. The need for governmental recognition of the importance of aquaculture in national development and the accordance of appropriately high priority in national development policies has been well demonstrated by countries where such recognition has led to very significant advances.
