This study examines intensification of low-input tilapia farming in large dam ponds and identifies innovative practices that farmers can use for this purpose. More broadly, we consider mechanisms for expanding development of smallholder fish farming and corresponding research requirements to increase the efficiency and dissemination of fish farming. The analysis examines several levels at which innovations are produced: fish, pond population, fish rearing system, watershed, farm and territory. We also examine the choice of the level and time horizon analyzed. Based on existing smallholder practices, further research about effective practices that farmers have and could adopt is proposed and discussed. The history of local smallholder fish farming in Cameroon, the development approach carried out by non-governmental organizations and the reference fish polyculture system based on all male tilapia are presented. Regarding the current situation, innovative practices must be considered, particularly smallholder initiatives for water management or floating rice production in fishponds. At each level, relevant practices are emerging to increase fish yields or intensify lowland production while respecting the social and economic dimensions of fish farming. It is important to recognize that the agroecological principles and associated technical solutions are appropriate and that decreased conflict among stakeholders can provide a consistent response. This positioning of research for rural development favors the emergence of innovations and allows for intensification of smallholder fish farming while taking its complexity into account. Low-input fish farming should not be considered as only a subsistence activity of smallholders to alleviate smallholder poverty. On the contrary, rural fish farming can generate sustainable development that is complementary with commercial fish farming.
Olivier Mikolasek