The fisheries resources of the Republic of Zambia from lakes, swamps, rivers and flood plains have produced in recent years between 60 000 and 70 000 tons of fish annually, while the optimum potential is estimated at 75 000 to 80 000 tons. Annual per-caput consumption is app. 9 kg (fresh fish equivalent) having consistently declined from 17 kg in 1970, due largely to fish import restrictions, limited production incentives, marketing constraints and rising populations. Fish has consequently become significantly less accessible especially for the lower income populations when market prices are beyond their means. Indications are that the nutritional status of such people has worsened where alternate sources of animal proteins declined. Based on the trends of population increase, annual demand is projected to be at least 40% above the present unsatisfactory fish consumption levels. Consequently allowing for adequate per-caput consumption requirements, the annual demand for fish would be app. 100 000 tons. Therefore in order to attain national self-sufficiency in fish protein requirements, an important source of fish production has been recognized viz., fish farming.
Protein energy malnutrition is a major health problem in the country. According to the National Nutrition Surveillance Programme returns, the provinces located off the line of rail, which are more rural, have consistently shown a higher proportion of children below the lower reference line (app. 80% W/A). Information collected by this programme during 1985–1987 provides the following indicators regarding under-weight children, 0–59 months old:
| Province | Year | % of children below lower reference limit |
| Eastern | 1986 | 29 |
| 1987 | 30 | |
| Western | 1986 | 29 |
| 1987 | 31.5 | |
| Northern | 1986 | 32 |
| 1987 | 30 | |
| North Western | 1986 | 30 |
| 1987 | 33 | |
| Luapula | 1986 | 33 |
| 1987 | 33 | |
| Central | 1986 | 30 |
| 1987 | 29 | |
| Copperbelt | 1986 | 29 |
| 1987 | 28 | |
| Southern | 1986 | 17 |
| 1987 | 18 | |
| Lusaka | 1986 | 12 |
| 1987 | 12 |
Hospital records relating to the extent of malnutrition reveal the following indications:
| Year | No. due to malnutrition | |
| Out-patients | 1983 | 60 000 |
| 1984 | 61 000 | |
| 1985 | 69 000 | |
| 1986 | 65 000 | |
| Admissions | 1983 | 1 100 |
| 1984 | 1 000 | |
| 1985 | 980 | |
| 1986 | 1 000 |
Hospital child mortality (1–14 years) data indicate that 40.3% of child deaths in 1986 were due to malnutrition.
The above facts clearly show the nutritional impact that could be provided by increased availability of protein-rich food in the form of fish. Fish contains up to 60% protein on dry matter basis and is rich in vitamins. It also contains variable quantities of fat, calcium, phosphorus and other nutrients important to human health and growth. Fish in combination with vegetable products constitutes a completely balanced diet. In Zambia, very young children as well as pregnant and nursing mothers find it difficult to get nutritionally adequate diet. It is generally recognized that the small-scale farmers, up to 80% of all farm households, are distributed practically throughout the country.
In the context of integrated rural development, the role of aquaculture is rapidly gaining importance in developing countries throughout the world. Based on the results obtained in countries where fish farming has been integrated with different types of agricultural production programmes (including animal husbandry), the benefits accruing to the rural community as a result of complete utilization of land and water resources, by-products and residues, may be summarised as:
Increased income from sale of fish produced in the ponds/farms/reservoirs
Food self sufficiency for the community
Diversification of income sources, thus protecting sectorial disasters
Production of comparatively inexpensive fish feed and organic fertilizers in the rural sector itself
Increase in agricultural production by using silt from the fish ponds as fertilizer.
Although fish farming activities in Zambia started by 1958, there have been no significant developments until recently. Experimental and pilot-scale studies carried out since 1982 demonstrated that small, medium and large-scale fish farming, using the indigenous tilapia species Oreochromis andersonii (local name: Three-spotted bream) can be highly productive and profitable. Different surveys conducted in the past confirmed suitability of climate, soil, water conditions, availability and abundance of attractive sites and the recommended species of fish. The development of fish farming could thus be considered within the context of integrated rural agriculture development and in association with irrigation and water retention reservoirs and streams. Implementation of such activities can effectively provide food, profitable self or cummunity employment or earnings and ensure ecological benefits of multiple water use.
In order to assist the Government of Zambia in its aquaculture development efforts, a FAO/UNDP pilot project to develop fish culture in Zambia (ZAM/79/005) was implemented in 1980 and subsequently enlarged in 1982. Besides reactivating and upgdrading fish culture facilities in Chilanga, the project was aimed at developing and testing appropriate technologies of fish farming and demonstrating their technical and economic viability. Based on the encouraging results obtained at the project's headquarters in Chilanga, additional production and demonstration units were established in Mwekera (Copperbelt Province) and Chipata(Eastern Province). Through the activities undertaken at these three stations, the project began to develop large and small scale fish culture systems for increased food production, employment generation and import substitution.
The project programmes successfully completed at the three fish farm complexes yielded valuable results. The old system of cultivating several species of tilapias together in the same pond was changed to mono-species culture of Oreochromis andersonii. This was achieved based on the findings that this species of fish has good growth potential, satisfactory resistance to handling, favourable breeding habits and attractive consumer acceptance. A pure brood stock of the species was introduced and specialised ponds for the successive production of fry, fingerlings and table size fish were maintained. Technology for the mass production of O. andersonii fingerlings was greatly improved and 12-months management plans for the ponds were worked out.
The different systems of fish culture studied at the three project farm complexes were:
Integrated tilapia farming: fish-cum-pig culture and fish-cum-duck culture
Tilapia culture with supplementary feeding
Tilapia culture with manuring and fertilization
Preliminary observations on common carp culture.
The fish-cum-pig culture system gave the best fish production results, yielding up to 9.8 t/ha/year. For fish-cum-duck culture, a stock of Peking duck was introduced from Hungary. This species of duck, known for its best performance in integrated fish farming systems, established well under Zambian conditions. Ducklings were produced regularly, once the technological adaptations were successfully identified and implemented. The maximum fish production rate obtained in integrated fish farming systems using Peking ducks and O. andersonii was 7 t/ha/year. In supplementary feeding trials using maize bran (50%) and sunflower oil cake (50%), the average fish production rate was 3.6 t/ha/year. Other trials undertaken used inorganic and organic fertilizers. Farm produced compost applied in cribs constructed on the edges of ponds was another profitable line of investigation. The manuring systems yielded between 2 and 3.5 t/ha/year. For the purpose of testing polyculture systems, the common carp was found to be a good candidate, but further experiments were considered to be necessary in order to arrive at definite conclusions.
The project activities included extension programmes involving training courses for Government extension staff and fish farmers, technical assistance to interested fish farmers, supply of stocking materials and participation in agriculture shows.
Having recognised that the FAO/UNDP Fish Culture Development Project made substantial progress and succeeded in building a base for further developments, the Government of the Republic of Zambia requested for further assistance in the Aquaculture development sector. It was pointed out that continued trials were essential to demonstrate improved management practices, based on the selection of additional species for mono- and poly-culture, the acclimitization of exotic species, the evaluation of fish feeds and fertilizers locally available, the development of a cheap and efficient fish feed, the mass production of fish seed and the standardization of methods for integrated fish farming with livestock and poultry husbandry. It was also found necessary to train more national personnel for the proper management of the fish farms, the development of an aquaculture extension programme, and the implementation of the National Plan.
The plan of operation for the project GCP/ZAM/038/NET Fish Culture Development in Zambia was signed by the Government of the Republic of Zambia and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on 3rd October 1986. This FAO Funds-in-Trust project was funded by the Netherlands Government. The project became operational on 1st January 1987 for a scheduled duration of 36 months. Subsequently, on the basis of the recommendations made by a Joint FAO and Netherlands Government Evaluation Mission, the project was extended by 6 months, through 30th June 1990, without any additional financial provision. Another bridging extension for 4 months with additional budget of US$ 140 103 was approved in September 1990. The total contribution from the Donor Government thus became US$ 1 321 225. The Govt. of Zambia contribution was stipulated at K 572 000 plus facilities available at Chilanga, Chipata and Mwekera fish farms.
The government implementing agency for the project was the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture. FAO was designated as the Executing Agency.
All the facilities developed by the preceding FAO/UNDP Fish Culture Development Project (ZAM/79/005) together with those provided by the two FAO TCP projects (TCP/ZAM/4475 and TCP/ZAM/4519) were placed at the disposal of this follow-up programme.
The C-PONDS complex in Chilanga has 20 ponds and includes breeding, rearing and production facilities. All the facilities at the OFFICE PONDS complex and SW-PONDS complex were fully under the control of the project. The new Mwekera fish farm complex has 16 ponds with a total area of 4 ha and the new Chipata fish farm complex provides 9 ponds with water area of 4.5 ha. The old ponds at both these latter complexes have been developed as breeding and rearing facilities. Both these new farm complexes are designed and constructed on modern lines and are expected to operate as ideal demonstration centres. Supporting infrastructure facilities like pig-stys, feed stores, security lighting, fencing etc. required renovation/rehabilitation.
All the major technological activities at the three fish farms were brought under the control of the project. In addition all major extension and training programmes at the three centres were also brought under the project. The training course for fish farmers conducted at Mwekera was, however, retained by the Department of Fisheries, but the project personnel collaborated in implementation of the training programme.
The JICA operated carp breeding programme at Mwekera, ALCOM project activities in the Eastern Province and the basic extension activities conducted by the Department of Fisheries at different centres functioned independently.
A list of project staff is given in section 2.12.
The project was designed to assist the Government of the Republic of Zambia in further development of fish farming in the country, with special emphasis on training and extension activities. The long term objective of the project was described as development of integrated rural aquaculture in Zambia in order to increase fish production for food purposes and generation of employment in the rural sector.
The immediate objectives were:
The project aimed at implementing in the new farms of Mwekera and Chipata, the methodologies developed in the Chilanga fish farm. Expansion and technology standardization was an integral part of the project programme with the specific view of testing necessary modifications to best suit the different conditions in the two regions.
The strategy for development of fish farming in the country is centred around four basic concepts, viz., (1) Developemnt of fish seed production/distribution centres; (2) Standardization of integrated fish farming techniques; (3) Development of cheap and efficient fish feeds and (4) Development of appropriate extension and training programmes.
1.4 TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CHIEF TECHNICAL ADVISER
Duties: To direct and coordinate all project activities and manage the project programme, in colloboration with Government Officials. Ensure that the work programme is directed towards the timely realization of the objectives of the project. Supervise all research, development, training and extension programmes, associated with the project.
Responsibilities: Be responsible for the overall administration of the project; assist in the technical management of the Chilanga fish farm; organize all related development and training activities; supervise the design and construction of new facilities; coordinate all activities related to the project; ensure that the research and development programmes are efficiently executed; to report as required.
