The previous FAO/UNDP Fish Culture Development Project demonstrated the technical and economical feasibility of fish farming operations in Zambia and created awareness among private farmers and commercial organizations regarding the vast potential that exists for the scientific development of aquaculture operations at three levels; namely, commercial fish farming, small-scale fish farming and peasant-scale fish culture. It undertook trials of different aquaculture systems suitable for adoption in various parts of the country, established a modern demonstration-cum-training fish farm complex, and initialed training and extension programmes. The importance of developing integrated fish farming was clearly demonstrated and for this purpose fish-cum-pig and fish-cum-duck culture systems were recommended for further development. The Peking ducks introduced from Hungary got adapted to Zambian conditions and a fully functional duck breeding and incubation facility was established at Chilanga.
The present project succeeded in consolidating the development of the three fish farming complexes at Chilanga, Chipata and Mwekera and undertook different types of training and extension programmes. Based on the project's achievements and conclusions drawn from the activities implemented at the project centres and consultancies established, the following recommendations have been made.
The three fish farm complexes developed at Chilanga, Chipata and Mwekera are now working as independent demonstration and training centres, with particular emphasis on various fish farming extension activities. All the farms are capable of continuing the present activities on a regular basis. The major thrust at these centres should continue to be production and distribution of fish seed. The fish production programmes along with the integrated farming systems should also continue because the revenue earned from sale of farm products continues to be sufficient for meeting most of the farm inputs, except salaries of regular staff members. Since the staff members are involved in adaptive research, extension and training programmes, their costs will have to be provided from operational funds.
Further improvements necessary at the three farm complexes are minimal. The main problem at the Chilanga facility is water scarcity during summer months. Although this problem has been partially solved and the requirements for the proposed National Aquaculture Centre are generally sufficient, immediate action is necessary to clean the reservoirs and furrows and provide pipes at strategic points between the Longridge and Brickfied dams. Renovation of the outlet structure of Village dam can also efectively increase the water flow to the C Ponds complex during the dry season.
The chipata fish farm needs some more breeding and rearing ponds to cater to extension requirements. The siphon system at the Dam is not adequate for the summer season and it would be advantageous if an electrical pump set could be installed. Of course the pump set and electrical switch gear should be properly secured permanent sheds.
The hatchery system at Chipata farm needs improvements. Based on the designs prepared for the Chilanga farm, it should be possible to establish a battery of hatchery jars with associated tanks.
Further infra-structural requirements at Mwekera farm include a renovated class room, a laboratory room and 2/3 office rooms. The duckling rearing sheds should be completely shifted to a better location in order to prevent red ants infestation and poaching.
A good filter system for the main inflow canal will be a useful addition.
Well secured garages are urgently necessary at Mwekera station so that all vehicles may be parked at the farm itself. This will ensure proper control of movements and reduce fuel costs.
Communication between the three farms is a major constraint and hence an SSB set may be provided at Chilanga farm to hook into the existing networks. SSB units are already available at Mwekera and Chipata.
One of the major recommendations of the FAO/UNDP Fish Culture Development Project, which was concluded in December 1986 was the development of the Chilanga Fish Culture Station into a National Aquaculture Centre. This proposal has been under active consideration since 1984, but full financial backing did not materialise so far. The present project activities have, however, already initiated training and extension programmes that could form basis for further institutionalised developments. The project evaluation mission recommended that having reached the present encouraging level, the training, applied research and extension activities of the present project should continue to be supported in order not to lose momentum. It was further recommended that funding should be found for the phased development of an Aquaculture Training Centre, within a national project, with basic facilities for training, demonstration, extension and small-scale production. A proposal for the establishment of an Aquaculture Training Network is under active consideration. The positive results achieved by the present project strongly support further development of the Chilanga Fish Culture Station into a modern aquaculture training and extension centre. Subsequently such a centre could meet the needs of other SADCC countries also.
With the establishment of the National Aquaculture Centre at Chilanga, the major improvements recommended for the Chilanga Fish Farm Complex are:
1. Rehabilitation of the dams associated with the three fish farm units viz., Office Ponds, Spurwing Ponds and C Ponds.
1.1. Renovation and rehabilitation of the dams/weirs which conserve and supply water to the different ponds.
1.2. Increasing of water storage capacity of the reservoirs by dredging and cleaning, and raising the levels of spillways and if possible, the major dams. Use of a dragline is recommended for Longridge and Village Dams.
1.3. Repairing and renovation of water outlet structures in the dams and water supply canals. It is particularly recommended that pipes may be provided for the canal leading from Longridge Dam to Brickfield Dam.
1.4. Checking of all dams for leakages and correction of defects. Improvements for the Main Dam are proposed to be taken up in collaboration with the Chilanga Cements Ltd. The expansion programme for the Chilanga Cements Ltd. Golf Club may be done without any adverse effects on water supply to the fish farms.
1.5. Provision of an overhead tank and pipes for the Office Ponds. This system will provide additional water from the bore well for purposes of conditioning fingerlings and supply to duckling houses.
2. Improvements in Spurwing Ponds Complex
2.1. Cleaning and repairing of all 4 ponds.
2.2. Construction of monks in all ponds
3. Improvements in Office Ponds Complex
3.1. The duck breeding facility needs further improvement. The old sheds now in use for keeping duckling cages should be replaced by new premanent structures. New splashing pools may also be provided.
3.2. The carp hatchery may be activated. The remaining grass carps (brought from Mauritius) are expected to be fully mature in 1991. The hatchery can be used for grass carp seed production.
3.3. The electric pump which was used to supply water to the Office Ponds (during very dry periods) was stolen, but eventually recovered. During the last 2 years there was no necessity to use this pump and hence it is kept in the stores. The pump can be re-installed as and when necessary. (Messrs Water Wells Ltd. have been assisting in the maintenance of the pump).
4. Improvemets in C Ponds Complex
4.1 Further renovation of the ponds would be necessary as soon as the National Aquaculture Centre becomes operational. Arrangements for providing electric supply to the farm are nearing completion and necessary equipment for operating the new borewell have been procured. Security lights may be installed as soon as possible.
The C ponds have been the principal experimental fish ponds used by the FAO projects to demonstate the technical feasibility of large-scale fish farming in the country. The ponds respond very well to different treatments and the production rates obtained have been excellent. However, in recent years, there have been some problems caused by drought and frequent thefts. Further, during the present project emphasis was laid on extension and training programmes, which resulted in availability of less staff members and inputs for the C ponds. Once the National Aquaculture Centre is established, the C Ponds complex will function as a demonstration-cum-training facility for the trainees. This fish farm complex is one of the best in the Country and should not be relegated.
4.2 It is strongly recommended that an Aquaculturist should be posted exclusively for supervising work at the C Ponds Complex. The residential house being built at the farm site may be completed urgently and allotted to the farm supervisor.
4.3 Once the National Aquaculture Centre is operational, it would be advisable to establish an exclusive tilapia breeding unit at the C Ponds Complex. Thus the presently developed seed centre at Office Ponds Complex can cater fully to extension needs. Ideally the facility at C Ponds Complex may be developed as indicated below:
2 Breeding ponds of 0.1 ha each = 0.2 ha
6 Rearing ponds of 0.06 ha each = 0.36 ha
Such a breeding unit should be able to provide a minimum of 250,000 O.andersonii fingerlings annually.
4.4 The approach roads to the C ponds Complex may be graded and repaired as soon as possible, preferably before the next monsoon season.
5. The basic infrastructure facilities required for the National Aquaculture Centre
It is recommended that the additional infrastructure facilities required for the National Aquaculture Centre at Chilange may developed in a phased manner. The class/meeting room made by the present project may be improved for immediate requirements. Additional buildings would be required for a dormitory, a practicals room and a library. The carp hatchery needs additional improvements. (Further requirements may be reviewed and selected from the details available in NORAD and FAO/NET Project Documents.
3.3.1 The following training programmes which have been successfully implemented by the present project may be continued:
3.3.2 When the National Aquacluture Centre/Network is established, additional trainiing courses may be initiated for the benefit of private fish culturists, officials of lending institutions (Lima Bank, Development Bank, Commercial Banks, Co-operatives etc.), officials of District Councils, teachers in charge of school fish production units, youth clubs etc., and women extension workers.
3.3.3 It is strongly recommended that the National Aquaculture Centre should be the central agency in the Country to prepare course details for any fish culture training programmes proposed to be taken up by other institutions and agencies. Such an arrangement is essential to standardise the training programmes. Care should also be taken to see that fish farming courses arranged by other institutions have support from adequately trained staff. A need may therefore arise to develop courses for training trainers.
3.3.4 The GUIDELINES FOR AGRICULTURE EXTENSION OFFICERS prepared by the present project is meant exclusively for use in training courses arranged for agriculture extension workers. The copies may therefore be distributed only to the participants. The handbook BETTER FISH FARMING IN ZAMBIA is more suited for general purposes. The latter is a priced publication, being sold at a nominal price of K 30.00 each.
3.3.5 Copies of the MANUAL FOR FISH FARMING PRODUCTION UNITS IN SCHOOLS have been distributed to all interested schools in different provinces. Additional copies are available in stock.
3.4.1 The extension programmes taken up at the three project centres have been progressing satisfactorily. They may be continued and in some cases expanded. The group approach initiated in Simukunami, Kafulafuta and Shantumbu is particularly interesting and could be considered as model for further development.
3.4.2 Fish seed supply to farmers. The current level of fish seed production at the three project farms is not sufficient to meet the ever increasing demand from private farmers. Hence there is an urgent necessity to establish fish seed farms in different parts of the country. Earthern tilapia breeding ponds (as established in Chilanga and Mwekera) are considered suitable for Zambian conditions, rather than more sophisticated breeding systems like arena and trapping tanks.
3.4.3 Fish culture poster: The prototype of a fish-farming poster has been prepared. However, this could not be printed locally. The proposed National Aquaculture Training Network may arrange to get sufficient copies printed with assistance from FAO headquarters and distribute copies to all provinces.
The project achievments have shown that there is need to intensify the integrated fish farming approach in collaboration with agencies interested in farming systems research and development. Adequate training should be given to national officers in farming systems approaches and methods.
The project activities have developed formulae for tilapia feeds and identified methods, feed components, feeding rates and frequency. The follow-up project activities should consider establishment of pilot fish feed production units at Chilanga, Chipata and Mwekera.
Details for operating a pilot-scale credit scheme for fish farming were prepared by the project and appropriate recommendations have been made to the Government. The pilot scheme was not initiated due to changed circumstances resulting from similar facilities made available to the public by lending institutions, particularly the Lima Bank. However, the scheme as prepared by the project could be initiated if and when necessity arises.
3.8.1 Integrated fish farming using Peking Ducks. The consultancy established by the project for studying the integration of fish-farming with small-scale farming systems in Zambia observed that further development of the Peking duck-cum-fish production system, which has been promoted by the project and which is being operated profitably in the commercial sector, can now be more efficiently and effectively developed by the private sector. This should definitely be considered, but at the same time reduction in Government involvement should be made in a phased manner. The introduction of Peking duck, which is universally considered as one of the best for integrated fish farming operations, and its acclimatisation to Zambian conditions are, inter alia, major achievements of the FAO executed projects. The importance of Peking ducks in integrated fish farming operations undertaken by commercial and emergent farmers should not be under estimated. The fact that management efficiency is required for Peking duck breeding and incubation should not be a deterrent for further development. The introduction of new hybrid variety of Peking duck, which has been developed in Hungary, and is familiar to 2 national officers deputed for training in that country, deserves consideration.
3.8.2 Introduction of new brood stocks. It would be necessary to get new brood stock of O. andersonii as soon as possible. This may be done in a phased manner so that there will be no interruption of extension activities. The same applies to getting fresh stock of ducks.
3.8.3 Use of casual/temporary farm workers. The number of permanent general workers have gradually been reduced in the project farms, mainly for operational efficiency. It is recommended that this policy may be followed, as far as possible, in future also.
3.8.4 Paucity of professional staff. There is an urgent need for more professional staff, commensurate with the rapid and substantial increase in aquaculture developmental activities in the country. Without adequate support from national professional staff, it would be very difficult to promote fish farming activities involving farm management, extension, training and adaptive research.
3.8.5 Revolving fund. Most of the inputs required for running the three project farms are now being provided from income generated by sale of farm produce. This has been possible by operating a FAO Income Account, as stipulated and approved in the project document. The setting up of a Government Revolving Fund for the fish farms may be considered as soon as possible.
3.8.6 Extension Materials. Several useful extension manuals and hand outs have been prepared and distributed in the field. This is a continuing activity and should be treated as such. More extension materials are needed. As recommended during the different workshops, additional slide strips and narrations have to be prepared. Similarly, the TV programmes arranged by the project have proved very useful and more productions may be considered under future programmes. A beginning has been made in the preparation of narrations in local languages. These may be printed and distributed in all provinces.
There is an urgent need to develop the mechanism and manpower required for the planning and co-ordination of aquaculture development at the national level. A well planned aquaculture co-ordination system can only be expected to ensure a balanced and rational development of aquaculture activities in the country. A project proposal in this direction had been submitted to the United Nations Development Programme with the following immediate objectives:
To assist and advice the Government of Zambia in the proper planning, co-ordination, monitoring and evaluation of all aquaculture projects implemented in the country.
To ensure that standardised technical advice is provided to fish farmers.
To avoid duplications and ensure accuracy in extension methods and materials provided by different agencies operating in different parts of the country.
This project proposal may be reactivitied as the importance of the same has increased further during recent years.
