The Working Group concluded that the identified needs could be addressed, with a few exceptions, at a national level. However, it also recognized that in several areas a regional complement to national efforts would benefit development. Obvious areas for regional cooperation are documentation/information, marketing information systems, test and demonstration of methods and techniques, and specialized training for small target groups. The Working Group also stressed that a regional programme provides a forum for exchange of experiences through workshops, technical consultations, and a Steering Committee.
Based on these considerations the Working Group outlined a five-year regional programme for aquaculture and small water body exploitation for the period 1995 – 1999 as part of the overall SADC aquaculture programme.
The proposed programme has two major orientations:
The programme consists of four components (projects):
While the components can be implemented as self-contained independent projects, the Working Group put forth several reasons for joint implementation under an umbrella programme (ALCOM, Phase III). If funding is not forthcoming to cover the whole programme, it can be implemented in a phased manner, with priorities as outlined below under recommendations.
The programme components are briefly described below.
The overall objective to which the programme will contribute is improved standard of living of rural populations in the region.
The intermediate objectives are
The above objectives are common for the whole programme. The immediate objective(s) are defined under each component.
The overall target groups are rural populations in the Southern Africa region.
Component 1: Development of small-scale aquaculture systems
The immediate objective is increased income among producers from integrated small-scale fish farming. The target groups are small-scale farmers and extension workers in Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique. The component has six outputs with related activities:
Good quality fingerlings available for producers, through selection of suitable species, identification of sources of broodstock/fingerlings, strengthening broodstock management capabilities, and promotion of private sector fingerling production.
Fish feeds available for producers, through trials with feed formulations using on-and off-farm ingredients, support to private sector feed production, and dissemination of information on feed formulation and feed sources.
Appropriate management strategies, through farmer-managed trials using different management strategies, training of farmers and extension workers, preparation and dissemination of extension packages.
Systems for economic monitoring and market information, through identification of economic indicators, monitoring of economic factors in conjunction with farmer-managed trials and market research.
Credit needs identified, through assessment of construction and production costs, cash flow projections, and stimulation of credit institutions to support aquaculture development.
Processing techniques, through surveys of needs for processing, farmer-managed processing, and training of farmers and extension workers.
Component 2: Feasibility of interventions for the management and enhancement of production from small water bodies
This component is funded by Belgium up to September 1997, under the project GCP/RAF/277/BEL.
The immediate objectives are
The target groups are rural communities surrounding small water bodies and extension workers in Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, Botswana, Lesotho, Zambia, Swaziland and Namibia. The component has eight outputs with related activities:
A regional database for small water bodies, through the preparation of a database framework, gathering of national information, and dissemination of information.
Methods for improvement of habitat, through trials with protected breeding areas, refuge areas, monitoring of impact on production, and preparation of extension packages for training of extension workers.
Improved fishing gear for target species, through determination of gear selectivity, markets and consumer preferences, adaptation of fishing gear, and documentation for the use of agents controlling the fishery.
Methods for cage and pen culture through, design of culture systems and farmer-managed trials, documentation of economic feasibility, preparation of extension packages and training of extension workers.
Methods for stocking of reservoirs, through determination of vacant niches, identification of suitable species for stocking, stocking of selected reservoirs, monitoring of impact.
Fishery management methods, community-based and private, with criteria for selecting the appropriate type of management and indicators for monitoring of impact.
Regulations for reservoir management, through identification of macro regulatory measures based on gear, season, catch data and micro measures based on entry/access, season and authority for management.
Uniform codes and practices for introduction and transfer of species, through studies of species introductions, workshops and technical consultations.
Component 3. Development of coastal aquaculture
This component requires further preparatory work before being finalized. However, the Working Group tentatively proposes the following. The immediate objective is economically viable small-scale marine and brackishwater culture systems. The target groups are coastal small-scale fishing communities in the SADC region. The outputs are
Techniques for the culture of seaweed, tilapia, mullets, and molluscs
Post-harvest technologies adapted for the small-scale sector.
Market information for coastal communities.
Economic indicators for determination of economic/financial viability.
Aquaculture integrated into coastal zone planning and management.
A preparatory phase for the component would include
The preparatory phase is estimated to require 18 months, followed by a 3, 5 year implementation phase.
Component 4: Strengthening of aquaculture institutions
The immediate objective is functioning aquaculture institutions in the SADC region. The outputs are
Ten national fisheries/aquaculture documentation centres with computerized holdings and access to regional and international databases, through provision of equipment (computers), supply of databases, establishment of networks in the region, and training of library staff.
Regional channels and fora for the exchange and dissemination of technical and scientific information in the region, through assistance to one institution to function as the focal point for a network of scientists and technicians, publication and dissemination of regional research notes, and organization of workshops, seminars, and technical consultations.
Functioning aquaculture extension systems, through application of extension methods and approaches which were tested in Zambia; promotion of collaboration between fisheries departments and other existing extension systems, in particular those related to agriculture extension; and training of extension supervisors in development support communication.
Adequate capacity for development planning, through training of planners and economists in sector specific aspects of planning, and the economics of fisheries and aquaculture; and support to national planning exercises.
The Working Group proposes similar institutional arrangements as for the present ALCOM programme, with FAO as the executing agency and a stronger role for implementation by national personnel and institutions.
The programme will operate out of a headquarters in the region with a multidisciplinary team of experts and associated institutions. This team will comprise:
A Management/Administrative Unit, consisting of the Programme Manager, and administrative support staff, to which the Information Service, consisting of an Information Officer and a Librarian with support staff should be attached. The Information Service is responsible for the publication of the newsletter, ALCOM News, technical reports and extension materials, and for the ALCOM library, intended to be integrated into a regional documentation/information system.
A core staff of experts representing the main disciplines (aquaculture, economics, fishery management, extension) covered by the components (projects). These experts will each be responsible, under the direction of the Programme Manager, for the planning, monitoring and backstopping of project activities under their competence.
National experts, sub-contracted regional and national institutions (government, universities, the private sector, and non-governmental institutions), and specialized consultants who will implement project activities.
Each participating country will appoint, as for ALCOM Phase II, a National Coordinator/Liaison Officer for day-to-day contacts with the Programme Management, and counterparts will be appointed for national activities.
The Steering Committee, consisting of member countries, donors, and FAO as executing agency, will continue to meet annually to review progress and decide on the orientation of the programme and annual work plans. A Management Working Group will meet once during the inter-sessional period to assist in planning and advice to the Programme Management. The Steering Committee will have the mandate to appoint ad-hoc committees or working groups for specific issues.
The Working Group estimates that the budget requirements for each component, including a pro rata contribution to the Management/Administration and Information Service is in the order of US$ 600 000 – 700 000 per year. The total budget for each component would be approximately US$ 3,0 – 3,4 million for five years. The total Programme budget is estimated to be US$ 12 – 13,6 million.
The Working Group stresses that sufficient budget allocations should be made for contractual services (sub-contracting of activities), operational expenses, supplies and materials, and equipment to allow implementation of comprehensive sub-projects. Adequate budget allocations are also required for training to allow training courses and on-the-job training in conjunction with sub-projects, national and regional workshops and technical consultations, and study tours for exchange and dissemination of information and experiences from activities.
The Working Group is aware that funds for the whole programme may not be forthcoming immediately. However, the organization of the Programme in components allows a phased implementation following the priorities which will be decided by the Steering Committee.
