T E C H N I C A L   C O O P E R A T I O N   P R O G R A M M E

ZAMBIA

A report prepared for the
Pilot fish seed production
and distribution centre project

by

E. Cayron-Thomas
Aquaculturist

This report was prepared during the course of the project identified on the title page. The conclusions and recommendations given in the report are those considered appropriate at the time of its preparation. They may be modified in the light of further knowledge gained at subsequent stages of the project.

The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this document do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations or the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal or constitutional status of any country, territory or sea area, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers.

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome, 1986

Hyperlinks to non-FAO Internet sites do not imply any official endorsement of or responsibility for the opinions, ideas, data or products presented at these locations, or guarantee the validity of the information provided. The sole purpose of links to non-FAO sites is to indicate further information available on related topics.

This electronic document has been scanned using optical character recognition (OCR) software. FAO declines all responsibility for any discrepancies that may exist between the present document and its original printed version.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Terms of Reference

1.2 Background Information

2. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

3. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

3.1 The Gravel Filter

3.2 Semi-intensive Earthern Breeding Pond

3.3 Concrete Tank with Earthern Bottom and Fry Traps

3.4 Breeding in Hapas

3.5 Fish Seed Distribution

3.6 Duck Breeding

3.7 Training Seminar on Fish Seed Production and Distribution

3.8 Economic Feasibility of Fishculture in Zambia

4. RECOMMENDATIONS

Appendix 1: PROJECT BUDGET COVERING FAO INPUTS

Appendix 2: TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE CONSULTANT

Appendix 3: LIST OF PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT

Appendix 4: LIST OF EQUIPMENT PURCHASED BY TCP/ZAM/4405(A)

Appendix 5: TRAINING SEMINAR OF FISH SEED PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION

LIST OF TABLES

1. Pond 8 (2 000m²) stocking and harvesting records

LIST OF FIGURES

1. Office ponds complex

2. Chilanga office ponds gravel filter

3. Fry traps system

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Government of Zambia, assisted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations through the Technical Cooperation Programme, is engaged in project TCP/ZAM/4405(A) to establish a pilot tilapia seed production and distribution centre at the tilapia fish farms.

As part of the project operation, FAO assigned Ms E. Cayron-Thomas as aquaculturist fish cultureextension officer from September 1984 to September 1985 with the following terms of reference:

• to develop five cement tanks in the “Office Ponds Complex” into fish breeding tanks, setting up the inflow system with adequate water filtering arrangements

• to arrange the construction of “hapas”, cages, etc., as required for the pilot centre

• to be responsible for the technical direction and implementation of the fish breeding, fry rearing and fingerling distribution activities

• to train national officials on the various aspects of the operations.

1.2 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In collaboration with the Government of Zambia, the FAO/UNDP “Fish Culture Development” project (ZAM/79/005) developed the technology for the semi-commercial production of the tilapia, Oreochromis andersonii. A pure broodstock of the species was introduced to the Chilanga fish farm from the Kafue River, and specialized ponds for the successive production of fry, fingerlings and marketable size fish have been maintained.

To support the development of fish culture in Zambia, the necessity for establishing a fish seed production and distribution centre in different regions of the country was recognized by the Government. Before investing in a country-wide programme, it was considered necessary to set up a pilot operation. This pilot fish seed production and distribution centre was to be established at Chilanga fish farm then under the control of the FAO/UNDP project.

In view of the results already obtained at the existing pilot fish farms controlled by the same project, the Government also requested FAO to make a preliminary assessment of the economic feasibility of fish culture in Zambia.

The Government officially requested the assistance of FAO in June 1984. The project document presented to the Technical Cooperation Programme was approved on 12 July 1984.

2. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

The establishment of the pilot tilapia seed production and distribution centre commenced on 10 September 1984, with the assignment of an FAO aquaculturist for an initial period of 10 months. This was subsequently extended to 12 months. The FAO aquaculturist carried out the project with one counterpart aquaculturist and one fish scout from the Fisheries Department in association with the FAO/UNDP project.

The Government made available the office ponds complex in Chilanga (Fig. 1) which was modified and organized as a tilapia breeding complex.

Although it was not envisaged, the breeding of ducks was included in the project because of the integration of ducks with the existing fish at the office ponds complex.

The programme started with the renovation of the 2 000 m² earthern pond by re-building the banks and the fencing of one part of the pond to confine the duck broodstock (Fig. 1). This work was completed at the beginning of November 1984 and the pond stocked with a selected O. andersonii broodstock (75 males, 340 females) and 200 Peking ducks (40 males, 160 females).

Simultaneously, a gravel filter was built on the feeder canal to prevent wild fish entering the breeding complex. The water supply was further improved by extending the suction pipe of the “Village Dam” (Fig. 1) water pump and rehabilitating the borehole.

In the middle of January 1985 the repair and remodelling of two earthern bottomed cement tanks began. The main work was the construction of concrete triangular fry traps at the inlet sides of the tanks. The construction was completed by early March and the tanks were stocked with selected O. andersonii broodstock (18 males and 84 females).

The breeding programme in hapas was very much affected by the lack of mosquito-netting in Zambia. The hapas ordered from abroad were not supplied due to manufacturing problems. However, two hapas designed and made by the aquaculturist were completed and stocked with broodstock on 19 March 1985 (2 males and 8 females in each).

Equipment has been imported to improve the distribution, handling and transportation of fish seed.

The duck breeding unit centralized in Chilanga was equipped with two Hamer incubators, each with a capacity for 600 eggs. They were originally purchased in 1982 by the FAO/UNDP project and day-old ducklings were despatched to the other UNDP project fish farms at Mwekera and Chipata as well as to private fish farmers. In July 1985, both incubators broke down, thereby affecting the duck breeding programme now under the control of the TCP project. A second revision of the budget was therefore made in August 1985 to import two new incubators to enable the project to continue the breeding programme and eventually expand it.

Fig. 1. Office ponds complex

A training seminar on fish seed production and distribution took place in Chilanga from 14 to 17 May 1985. Twenty-one officers from the Fisheries Department attended the seminar which was organized in conjunction with the FAO/UNDP project.

The economic feasibility study of fish culture in Zambia was made between April and May by a consultant economist appointed by FAO. In April and May 1985, the economist worked in close collaboration with the FAO/UNDP project chief technical adviser and the aquaculturist. A detailed report on this study was submitted in July 1985¹.

A Field Day to demonstrate the tilapia breeding technique established by the project was organized at the Mwekera fish farm on 6 September 1985. Twenty-eight private fish farmers attended.

The budget of the project TCP/ZAM/4405 which was originally US$ 98 000 was revised to US$ 125 100 to cover the extension of the aquaculturist. A second revision to US$ 136 450 was made to allow the purchase of the two duck incubators.

3. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

3.1 THE GRAVEL FILTER

Three metres of the furrow width was trebled (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2 Chilanga Office ponds gravel filter

¹ L'Heureux, R. 1985 Economic feasibility of fish culture in Zambia. Rome, FAO, TCP/ZAM/4405 (A), pag. var.

The filter is divided by a screen into two compartments which contain different size gravel, 40 and 20 mm.

The filter works satisfactorily; no wild fish are entering the office ponds complex. The pure strain of O. andersonii is now well protected from unwanted introduction.

3.2 SEMI-INTENSIVE EARTHERN BREEDING POND

Once the 2 000 m² pond (Pond 8) was stocked with selected broodstock, effort was concentrated on management of the fry/fingerlings harvesting, handling and sampling.

The fry/fingerlings have to be harvested regularly as completely as possible. A quarter-inch knotless ace-mesh seine net was imported which improved considerably both the efficiency of the seining and the condition of the fry/fingerlings harvested. The pond was seined every two weeks between 1 February and 8 May 1985 and finally drained on 21 June 1985 (Table 1).

The number of fry/fingerlings collected has improved considerably with the increased frequency of seining. The 380 fry/fingerlings collected per female stocked is an acceptable result for the Tilapia genus bred semi-intensively.

O. andersonii juveniles have previously shown sensitivity to handling. At that time the fry/fingerlings were weighed dry in a basket before being stocked into the rearing ponds. One sample was counted after weighing.

Another sampling method has now been introduced and standardized as fellows:

The fry/fingerlings are scooped out from the seine net with a sieve. The sieve is always filled up at the same level. One to three full sieves of fry/fingerlings are counted and weighed from which the total number and weight of juveniles are estimated. This new handling method has reduced significantly the mortality observed in the past in the rearing ponds after stocking.

3.3 CONCRETE TANK WITH EARTHERN BOTTOM AND FRY TRAPS

The fry traps were built on the inlet side of the tanks (Fig. 3).

The design of this structure was based on the observation of fry habits.

1. The fry like warmer shallow water
2. They are attracted by fresh flowing water

The bottom of the pond gradually slopes up to the fry traps. Eventually the fry are attracted by the water flowing through the gaps between the triangular concrete blocks. Once the fry passthrough the traps and tend to remain in the collecting trench, they can be scooped out and transferred to the rearing ponds.

Fig. 3 Fry traps system

No significant results were obtained from these ponds in March-April 1985 mainly because it was too late in the breeding season.

Further trials were planned for November and December 1985 and the management plan for the tanks is being worked out. The main advantage of this system is the reduction in labour for the harvest of the fry, but it requires a daily offtake of fry and good management of the water flow.

3.4 BREEDING IN HAPAS

As previously mentioned, this programme suffered due to scarcity of material. The two hapas made locally with the little material available were tried in one concrete tank for two months (March and April 1985).

The dimensions of each hapa were 1.50 × 1.00 × 0.90 m deep. No results were obtained because the hapas were found torn (presumably the predator was an otter, quite common in Chilanga).

New hapas were made in October 1985 and tried in the same way. They were similarly attacked and torn.

A third trial took place with the hapas completely protected by a chain linked wire fence, but the same incident occurred. This last incident could have been due to poaching.

This breeding technique has been successful in other parts of the world and should be working with O. andersonii, but hapas are very vulnerable because they confine fish of a large size that are very attractive to predators. It should only be tried in Zambia in well protected areas and ponds.

3.5 FISH SEED DISTRIBUTION

The technique of conditioning and packing fish seed has been standardized in Chilanga.

Water aerators were imported to help the conditioning of the seed before transportation.

Similarly, the equipment necessary to pack the fish in plastic bags with oxygen has been made available (oxygen regulator, adequate plastic bags, cardboard boxes and insulated carrier bags).

In Chilanga, fish seed is now sold to fish farmers on a weekly basis by appointment.

3.6 DUCK BREEDING

No new techniques have been introduced into the Chilanga duck breeding unit developed under the FAO/UNDP project.

Chilanga carried on supplying ducklings to Chipata and Mwekera fish farms up to June 1985. From September 1984 to June 1985, 3 690 ducklings have been produced in Chilanga of which 591 were sent to Mwekera, 901 to Chipata, and 89 sold to private fish farmers.

The incubators broke down in July 1985 after three years of continuous use. It was then decided to import two new incubators each with a capacity for 900 eggs as well as spare parts to repair the old ones. All the incubators have been operational since the beginning of December 1985 and this will allow a decentralization of the duck hatchery. After the training of their staff in Chilanga, new hatcheries with one incubator each will be started in Mwekera and Chipata fish farm. Chilanga will remain with two incubators which should produce sufficient ducklings to supply their own needs and private fish farmers.

3.7 TRAINING SEMINAR ON FISH SEED PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION

The main purpose of this seminar was to explain and demonstrate the improved tilapia breeding techniques standardized in Chilanga to the Fisheries Department staff in charge of other government fish farms.

Twenty-one government officers from nine different fish farms in Zambia attended the seminar during which various conclusions were drawn and recommendations made (Appendix 5).

3.8 ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF FISHCULTURE IN ZAMBIA

As mentioned earlier a detailed report was submitted by the consultant economist in July 1985.

The report is divided into two major parts. The first describes the general economic context of Zambia, the present situation in the fisheries sector and then reviews different operations of government and commercial fish farming in the country.

The second part presents an economic analysis of different fish farming options and proposes a programme for gathering additional information.

The main conclusions are:

1. There are good conditions for development of commercial fish farming in Zambia. Those conditions are best when fish farming can be combined with other farming activities which can supply feeding and/or fertilizing ingredients like chicken-, duck- or pig-raising at no out-of-pocket cost to the farmer. Financial returns of 23–33% could be obtained from 5 ha or more fish farms, if their average performance is 6t/ha.

2. The most favourable factor for the success of commercial fish farming is the growing demand for fish and in particular for fresh fish in the urban areas of Zambia. The fact that the population is increasing at a fast rate, that urban population is expanding even faster and that capture fisheries are approaching maximum sustainable yield (75 000 t) create favourable conditions for development of commercial fish farming, mainly in peri-urban areas.

3. The development of this potential requires gathering of more information and creation of a programme which would provide technical support for expansion of commercial fish-farming.

4. RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The results obtained at Chilanga in the semi-intensive earthern breeding ponds are conclusive and similar fish seed centres using this method should be developed in other government fish farms throughout Zambia.

2. Ideally, a farm of one hectare should be developed in the following way:

   2 breeding ponds of 0.1 ha each	0.2 ha
   6 rearing ponds of 0.06 ha each	0.36 ha
   Total	0.56 ha

   The remaining area would be used for production of table-size fish and broodstock.

   Such a fish seed centre would be able to produce yearly 200 000 fry/fingerlings.

3. The equipment needed to operate such a centre would be:

   One 1/4" knotless ace-mesh fry net

   One set of different size kitchen sieves

   One scale of 10 kg capacity

   Buckets

   For the distribution of seeds the centre should also be equipped with an oxygen bottle, an oxygen regulator and adequate plastic bags.

   The netting material can be ordered through the local net factory.

4. The other tilapia breeding systems require further trials. Mwekera and Chipata fish farms should be involved in the programme and be equipped with ponds with similar fry traps.

   Hapas should also be tried in their environment.

F: Females
M: Males

Appendix 1
PROJECT BUDGET COVERING FAO INPUTS

2nd Revision
(in US$)

Appendix 2
TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE CONSULTANT (ECONOMIST)
(2 m/m)

The consultant (Economist) will:

1. Carry out a study of the economics of fish culture operations in the country with a view to evolving a development strategy of fish farming operations in the whole country;

2. More specifically, make a preliminary assessment of the economic feasibility of fish culture in Zambia on the basis of the result obtained at the existing pilot fish farms at Chilanga, Mwekera and Chipata, and by private investors; and

3. Prepare a programme for the collection of country-wide economic data, as required by investment agencies for providing support to fish culture development.

Appendix 3
LIST OF PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT

Appendix 4
LIST OF EQUIPMENT PURCHASED BY TCP/ZAM/4405

NON-EXPENDABLE EQUIPMENT

EXPENDABLE EQUIPMENT (Total value US$ 20 165)

1. One water pump Honda 5.0 HP
2. One deep freezer Westpoint
3. Two fry nets 250 feet ace mesh
4. One fry net 40 feet ace/mesh with middle pocket
5. Ten aerators Charles Austen with accessories

Appendix 5
TRAINING SEMINAR OF FISH SEED PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION

(Chilanga, 14–17 May 1985)

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

Government staff:

Mr. E.D. Boma, Project Co Manager FAO Project, Chilanga

Mr. K.P. Banda, Aquaculturist, Chilanga

Mr. J.B. Phiri, Assistant Fish Culturist, Chilanga

Mr. G.Z. Sinkala, Provincial Fish Culturist, Chipata

Mr. J.C. Mutale, Aquaculturist, Chipata

Mr. C.T. Maguswi, Aquaculture Biologist, Kitwe

Mr. C.D. Sikazwe, Provincial Fish Culturist, Solwezi

Mr. J. Kaoma, Fish Culturist, Mwinilunga

Mr. C.I. Tembo, Assistant Fish Culturist, Mansa

Mr. W.R. Wakumelo, Assistant Fish Culturist, Mansa

Mr. E.G. Machisa, Fish Culturist, Serenje

Mr. S.H. Velemu, Fish Culturist, Choma

Mr. L.M. Mwelaisha, Act. Senior Fisheries Training Officer, Chilanga

Mr. D.S. Muwowo, Officer in Charge, Chilanga

Special Invitees:

Mr. P.S. Subramaniam, Act. Chief Fisheries Research Officer, Chilanga

Mr. G. Mudenda, Senior Fisheries Research Officer, Chilanga

Mr. V. Kanondo, Fish Economist, Chilanga

Mr. J. Mambwe, Officer in Charge, Fishing Craft Branch, Chilanga

Mr. J.H. Zimba, Ass. Fish Dev. Officer, Chilanga

Mr. W.S. Bungula, Asst. Fisheries Development Officer, Chilanga

Mr. W. Mambwe, Departmental Development Officer, Chilanga

FAO Staff:

Dr. V. Gopalakrishnan, Project Manager, Chilanga

Mrs. E.C. Thomas, Expert TCP, Chilanga

Mr. R. L'Heureux, Economist TCP/FAO, Canada

PROGRAMME

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The need for developing fish seed production facilities in different areas of the country was discussed and it was agreed that in addition to the main 3 fish farms developed by the UNDP/FAO project, there is an urgent necessity to establish smaller units for the production of fry and fingerling in all other departmental fish farms.

2. The role of private farmers in developing fish seed production facilities was highlighted during the discussions and it was agreed that wherever possible, private agencies/farmers should be encouraged in this direction, with adequate technical assistance from the Fish Culture Division personnel.

3. The various activities of the pilot fish seed production and distribution centre established at Chilanga were discussed in detail. It was noted that satisfactory results have been obtained in the breeding and rearing of Oreochromis andersonii, and the need to continue the work aiming at development of more breeding systems and involvement of more species of fish, was emphasized. It was also agreed that proposals for establishing such seed centres should be prepared and processed as soon as possible and submitted to the authorities for favourable consideration. The proposals should indicate the development potential in the respective areas and the resources currently available and those needed in future.

4. The necessity for training field staff on various aspects of fish seed production and distribution was recognized as very urgent by all the participants. Such training programmes should include fish culture staff at different levels.

5. Detailed discussions on the operation of fish breeding and rearing programmes indicated the need for re-organizing the working of the Fish Culture Division. Since the importance of fish culture development has been fully recognized, it would be essential for the policy and operations of the Division to be streamlined so that effective programmes may be implemented in the field.

6. The necessity to organize a separate fish culture extension service was specially pointed out by the participants. In this connection there is an urgent need to prepare adequate extension materials for country-wide use.

7. The participants felt that in order to implement effective fish culture programmes, the staff position in the Departmental farms has to be strengthened. Some of the farms do not have technical staff at supervisory level. Inadequecy of general workers and imbalances in the staffing pattern are also serious problems which need urgent attention by the authorities.

8. The non-availability of adequate transport facilities in the farms is a major constraint in implementing fish seed production and distribution programmes. It was agreed that proposals for the establishment of fish seed farms should ensure the allocation of transport and fuel specifically for this purpose.

9. Serious attempts may be made to provide the departmental farms with literature relating to fish seed production and distribution.

10. The necessity to introduce the Kafue strain of Oreochromis andersonii in the seed production centres was discussed and it was agreed that the fingerlings for establishing broodstocks may be supplied by the Government/Project farms at Chilanga, Chipata and Mwekera on the basis of specific requests from fish culture stations and private agencies.

11. The participants felt that a fish culture seminar may be organized specifically for representatives of the Banking Industry in order to create an awareness in the financial circles about the potential and benefits of fish farming development in the country.