Results concerning the effects and impact of ALCOM Programme Phase III are examined in line with the Evaluation Mission terms of reference (Annex 1, Section B(g))
Results under this heading are considered by the Mission from a wider point of view, distinguishing successively between:
(a) Development and testing of methodologies
Some of the most significant results achieved to-date by ALCOM Programme consist in the development and testing of methodologies appropriate to the social and institutional environments of SADC member countries. These methodologies are part of the heritage to be left by ALCOM Programme to all countries which have been directly involved.
The methodologies developed and tested pertain to three particular areas:
Small-scale fish farming development for increased sustainability has been originally developed/tested in Eastern Province Zambia (1987–1990). Then, it has been further tested still in Zambia, in Luapula (1991–93) and Central (1993–94) Provinces.
During Phase III (1995–96), the Zambian methodology is being tested and adapted (if necessary) in Mozambique and Tanzania with positive results. There is no doubt that this methodology works best when the responsibilities for aquaculture development lies close to that for agriculture development, such as in Zambia and Mozambique. Success will be more difficult to achieve when different ministries are involved such as in Tanzania and in Malawi, but progress in having ALCOM approach to aquaculture development more widely applied is being made, in particular in Malawi (Section 6.1.7).
Participatory approach to SWB management
This methodology has been developed and tested in Zimbabwe (1992–94). It is being
further tested and adapted (as far as necessary) during Phase III in Malawi, Tanzania,
Zambia and Zimbabwe, involving a total of 21 SWB and their surrounding
communities. Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRA) and other socio-economic
studies together with regular creel surveys will provide the necessary data for
selecting potential management regimes. The final decision should rest with the
local community and be reached through a participatory approach. The ALCOM
pilot projects initiated during Phase III are still too young to show positive results for
this approach, although some partial results have already been achieved, particularly
in creating and increasing awareness concerning SWB fish resources, their potential
importance for food security and/or cash income, not only at local community level
but also at institutional level (Section 6.1.7a).
Rapid evaluation of SWB fishery potential
As pointed out earlier (Section 3.2), practically nothing is known of the fishery
potential of African SWB. As such knowledge is fundamental for the national
exploitation and enhancement of SWB fish resources through management, ALCOM
has initiated studies aimed at defining critical parameters (or indicators) on which to
rely for a rapid evaluation of any SWB fishery potential. This is a longer-term goal
which cannot be developed within one year. But, the Mission considers that it was
nevertheless essential to take such initiative for the SADC Region (and Africa at
large) so that the basis for the necessary biological model be at least developed
during the two years of Phase III. Actually, a protocol for the regular collection of
standardised data from 21 small reservoirs is being applied in Malawi, Tanzania,
Zambia and Zimbabwe. Results should be available by late 1996, for various social,
hydrological, climatic and limno-biological conditions.
(b) Development and testing of fish culture methods and systems
A fish farming extension package appropriate for the targeted small-scale farmers was originally developed and tested in Eastern Province, Zambia (1987–90). It was further tested and adapted (as necessary) still in Zambia, in Luapula (1990–92) and Central (1993–94) Provinces, with great success. Its originality partly resides in the fact that it addresses very little known small earthen pond environments, undrainable or rarely drained.
During Phase III (1995–96), this extension package was further developed and tested. This generated positive results under diverse social and hydrobiological conditions as follows:
Methods for the private production of tilapia fingerlings by small-scale farmers are also being developed and tested in the three pilot projects discussed above (Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania). Although there are some positive results already, one year of severe drought (Zambia, Mozambique) as well as a slower than expected adoption by cautious farmers have been serious constraints. It is to be expected that more than two years are necessary to introduce such new concept in small-scale farming communities.
(c) Development and testing of methods and guidelines for community-based enhancement and management of SWB fish resources.
Feasible methods and guidelines for enhancement and management of fish production in SWB by local communities have been developed by ALCOM. They are now being tested out in the various SWB pilot projects. The methods under consideration are:
Results from these tested methods are expected to become increasingly available by mid 1997. It will then be possible to draw up guidelines appropriate to each specific type of SWB ownership and each specific set of hydrobiological conditions (water body seasonal/perennial, water level variations, small/great SWB size/depth, water quality, fish population…).
Recent socio-economic surveys have clearly shown that within small-scale farmers communities, the status that the exploitation of available fish resources has over other water use activities (cattle watering, household water, irrigation …) essentially depends on the potential net contribution of fish in either food or cash income. In fact, individual size of fish, size of daily catch and catch per unit effort are much less important than fish as food and fish as cash income.
(a) Fishery potential at national and regional levels
The small water bodies' resources in the SADC Region have been assessed in detail for Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi and Zimbabwe. For Zambia, complete data from Eastern Province and partial data from Southern Province have been obtained. A workplan for the collection of data in Tanzania has been submitted by a consultant and field work should be initiated soon. Namibia and South Africa have informed ALCOM that they are in the process of assembling the data requested. For Angola, Mozambique and Swaziland, the database relies on literature data only. The database is being made available in a user friendly and geographically-based interface, with the assistance of the FAO Remote Sensing Project (Section 3.9.3).
The SWB database evidently is not only related to fisheries: it holds an enormous potential for planning water resources management in general and on applications in fisheries, health, nutrition in particular, in the region and for each country. The database will also be an important tool for construction planning of dams in the region : presently a great number of dams is still being constructed, often without much background information and without follow-up. Consequently the database will also play an important role in follow-up measures of the new dams, more precisely regarding stocking and fishing management.
(b) Fishery potential at sub-national and local levels
During ALCOM Phase III, background biological and socio-economic data are being obtained from 21 SWB, through punctual surveys and regular biological samplings. Final results should become available in mid 1997. On the basis of this first set of results, trends will possibly be identified but, to avoid undue influence of localised phenomenon (e.g. water level, fishing pressure…) further annual sets of data will be required in later years.
Institutional strengthening at national and local levels is being mostly realised through the following:
Institutional strengthening has also taken place:
In general, it may be said that ALCOM Programme has succeeded in creating a regional identity for the SADC member countries. The various meetings organized at the regional level as well as the ALCOM Newsletterand the activities of ALCOM Information Service (Section 3.9.8) have greatly contributed to this.
Sustainability of the above results still remain questionable for two main reasons:
A notable exception is observed in Zimbabwe where AGRITEX succeeds to be relatively active in all aspects of agriculture extension (livestock, crops, fisheries …) in spite of its limited resources.
Training of staff has taken place both at national as well as sub-national and local levels.
(a) Training at national level
ALCOM training activities have been implemented at national level through specialised seminars (e.g. fish farming extension methods; aquaculture extension in Zambia), technical consultation (extension methods) and workshop (PRA), see Annex 13.
Librarian students from Harare Polytechnic and librarians from various institutions/projects in Zimbabwe were trained by the qualified ALCOM librarian.
Results are difficult to qualify, although interviewed technicians who have attended these training sessions are highly appreciative and appear to have assimilated well the materials provided.
(b) Training at sub-national and local levels
ALCOM training activities have also been implemented at various sub-national levels, such as Province (Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe) and District (four SWB projects), see Annex 13.
At local level, SWB community members (four SWB projects) and fish farmers (e.g. Tanzania, Morogoro) are being trained. The SWB project training of local farmers both for PRA (interviewers) and creel surveys (enumerators) is particularly interesting to stress because it results in the presence within each community itself, of people who will be able to be used as resource persons for later management activities.
The importance of on-the-job-experience gained through direct involvement in field activities in the five countries where pilot projects are implemented should not be underestimated. This is particularly true for the national professional associated staff (in particular NPPP) who, through ALCOM, has the rare opportunity to get away from desk duties, participate in field activities and learn the practical aspects of small-scale farming development.
Output of the whole ALCOM Programme has been described and assessed previously (Section 5.4). How this output is being used and adopted by rural communities still varies greatly, being directly related to the length of time the pilot projects have been active locally. Use and adoption varies also according to the type of development being promoted, either fish farming or SWB fish resources use.
(a) Adoption of appropriate fish culture practices
This adoption is particularly widespread in Eastern Province, Zambia (Table 22) because of the long and strong presence of ALCOM personnel and in spite of limiting water resources conditions (Tables 15.1 and 15.2). Adoption keeps increasing particularly during normal years of rainfall. No doubt that this is also related to the presence of a well structured agriculture extension as well as the close collaboration existing between it and aquaculture personnel at both Provincial and District levels. No doubt also, that it was ALCOM who initiated the development process and that still to-day, it is this ALCOM culture which keeps it active.
In Manica Province, Mozambique, adoption of ALCOM-promoted practices is slowly but surely becoming increasingly popular, as successful farmers demonstrate their value (Tables 12.1 and 12.2). Even if management level still varies from one area to another (in relation for ex. topography), the importance the small-scale farmers give to this additional crop proves how valuable it is for them, mostly for food (esp. relish) and sometimes for cash income (esp. fingerlings).
In Morogoro, Tanzania, adoption of ALCOM-promoted practices is well underway both under hilly and more normal valley conditions (Tables 14.1 and 14.2). The nearly spontaneous integration of pig farming with fish farming, next to well managed vegetable and fruit tree plots testifies of the validity of ALCOM social and technical approach. The dynamism of the national professionals involved in the development and deeply convinced of the validity of ALCOM methodology is certainly responsible for the rapid progress observed in this region.
Table 22. Estimated numbers of small-scale fish farmers active under pilot projects' umbrella
| Zambia, Eastern Province | 700 (from 1987) |
| Mozambique, Manica Province | 200 (from 1992) |
| Tanzania, Morogoro Region | 31 (from 1995) |
(b) Adoption of methods for enhancement/management of fish production in small water bodies.
Results here mostly date back from the previous ALCOM Phase II (1992–94), active in Zimbabwe in two reservoirs. More recent results are more limited and still in the preliminary stage of application, in the four SWB pilot projects.
Enhancement methods (Section 6.1.1c) are applied by some local communities with seemingly good results. Time should tell how sustainable these results really are.
Improved management of SWB fisheries is established through Committeescreated in pilot reservoirs. They effectively manage fisheries through introduction of constructive rules and regulations and through control of adherence to them. Awareness around fisheries issues has been built both at the community and the local government levels and fisheries co-management has been put in place in some dams. Objectives for management can be rather varied but maximum food security and maximum sustainable yield are amongst the most important. Proof of the successful approach is the automatic extension of the improved management to other dams adjacent to pilot dams in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Gender issues is one of the main target area being integrated since 1995 into all pilot projects. The objectives are to assess the role of women in fish farming and to demonstrate ways to enhance and strengthen this role.
During field visits, it has been observed that women play an important role in the daily management of ponds. Some women (or women groups) have built their own pond and manage it enthusiastically, even if in general, female headed households have less access to production inputs such as land, water, labour and basic equipment.
During Phase III (1995–96) under review, ALCOM Programme and pilot projects have impacted mostly on governments directly involved through pilot projects. More diffuse but nevertheless important impacts have been achieved by ALCOM Information Service and library at various levels.
(a) Impact on Governments
Impacts on Governments have been documented by the mission during field interviews, in four of the five countries directly involved:
in Tanzania, the DoF Aquaculture Section of has lately received increased attention (within a context of very low government priority), with improved recurrent budget allocation and additional staff. This has resulted from the improvement of the image of aquaculture following the excellent results of ALCOM interventions in Zambia, Eastern Province during the past years, the dissemination of these results to Tanzanian professionals through various meetings, and the immediate success of the Morogoro pilot project.
in Malawi, ALCOM is considered as the link between the various ministries involved with water resources development, such as Agriculture, Irrigation and Fisheries.
in Zimbabwe, ALCOM has introduced and demonstrated the value of the community-participatory approach to the management of SWB fish resources. This has been a completely new idea which is now widely applied by AGRITEX.
in Malawi, ALCOM's impact has been responsible for several recent policy changes:
following the Technical Consultation on “Extension Methods for Smallholder Fish Farming in Southern Africa” (Lilongwe, Malawi, November 1995), the Ministry of Agriculture has mentioned “Aquaculture” as part of its policy for the first time in late 1995. This should facilitate the integration of aquaculture extension into general agriculture extension. Such integration is being applied on a trial basis in 1996. It is now thought that the Ministry of Irrigation will follow suite.
in Zambia, ALCOM's impact has been responsible for similar policy changes:
the development of SWB fisheries is now considered as the responsibility of the Aquaculture Service, within the Department of Fisheries.
(b) Impacts of ALCOM Information Service and Library
The ALCOM Library is now considered by member countries as a clearing house for documentation. The established central database of literature on fisheries and aquaculture is accessible to would-be users, such as governmental institutions, non-governmental organisations, development project personnel and individuals (Section 3.9.8).
The ALCOM newsletter regularly published and distributed to a large mailing list, both within the SADC Region and outside, has promoted ALCOM culture and approach far beyond the SADC Region. The actual success of its electronic version published on Internet attests to the increasing interest it has created throughout the world.
Technical Reports and Field documents have undoubtedly impacted, both in the past and recently, on the research community, both in social sciences and in fishery/aquaculture sciences. Increasingly numerous requests for these ALCOM publications, following the birth of ALCOM home page on Internet (including the list of ALCOM publications), point out to the importance of their impact.
A series of factors have affected ALCOM Programme results. Some have been positive, others negative.
Factors having contributed to the Programme success are:
Major constraints during Phase III (1995–96) have been as follows:
In general, it might be observed that the ALCOM Programme has produced fewer concrete results than could be expected for a 10-year effort. But it should be kept in mind that this results from the past uncertain cycle of funding as well as from a previous lack of focus during previous phases, as rightly pointed out by the 1994 evaluation team.
Sustainability of ALCOM results has already been discussed previously, when assessing the results from the various pilot projects (Section 6.1.3).
From a more general point of view, the following may be said:
sustainability of the integration of farming techniques into existing widespread extension system still remains questionable, in particular if institutional responsibility for development of aquaculture is separate from that for agriculture development;
sustainability of the methods for SWB enhancement/management appears relatively good whenever local communities succeed to organize themselves. It is still too early to judge how many such communities will be successful.
