Fish Farming For Food Security And Improved Livelihoods

Introduction

Fish farming is among the important alternatives that can raise nutrition, food security in Africa. Fish contribute up to 17 % of animal protein, and 7 % of all proteins, and supports more than 3 billion people in developing countries. Fish provides high-quality essential amino acids, docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, especially iron, zinc, and vitamins, often in highly bioavailable forms. Fish farming therefore can contribute in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 2) on eliminating all forms of hunger, as well as food and nutritional insecurity. To add on, due to high demand and price of fish in the market and the shrinking job market, rapid population growth, decreasing sources of employment, commercial fish farming can be a great source of employment for unemployed people.  This 5- days course aims to equip participants with skills and knowledge on fish production including feeding, harvesting, and the basics of running a successful fish farming business.

Duration

5 Days

Course outline

Module 1: Overview of aquaculture development worldwide, in Africa and in sub-Saharan Africa

·        Global, regional and national fisheries and aquaculture production and development trends

·        Integrated aquaculture (Farming systems);

·        Constraints facing aquaculture

·        Taking aquaculture as a business

Module 2: Basic elements of conducting aquaculture as a business

• Business plan
• Contents of a business plan
• Elements of a business plan
• Record-keeping as a foundation of business planning and management

·        Assessment of the economic profitability and financial feasibility of small- and medium-scale aquaculture farms

Module 3: Investment tool for assessing economic profitability and financial feasibility of aquaculture farms

·        Selecting proper fish species

·        Selecting Land Area

·        Pond Design & Construction

·        Selecting Fish Species

·        Feeding the Fish (Feeds and nutrition)

Module 4

·        fish reproduction and hatchery management;

·        pond production systems;

·        seed and feed production

·        Care & Management of fish

·        Collecting fish

·        Marketing of fish

·        Socio-economics of fisheries

Module 5: Field visits