Toward more inclusive and sustainable development of Zambian aquaculture
This policy brief (PDF) by the CGIAR Research Program on Fish describes opportunities and approaches for inclusive and sustainable development of the aquaculture sector in Zambia. Three innovative, inclusive approaches can be considered “good practice” to achieve impact at scale. The first is pro-poor microfinance mechanisms, with a specific focus on youth and women. Increasing the access of small-scale farmers to microfinance is considered critical to help them invest in technologies. The second approach is a decentralized seed distribution model to improve access to seed. In this model, breeder farmers produce and supply fingerlings to cluster farmers for grow-out, which enables better coordination and cooperation between farmers and creates local “production zones”. The third approach consists of inclusive business models (contract farming) and out-grower schemes. A private sector fish farm and hatchery contract small-scale fish farmers to help them increase production through the provisioning of seed and feed on a loan basis, which can be recovered when the private sector company purchases fish after harvesting. Overall, it is recommended to promote entrepreneurship and the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises through inclusive business models that strengthen vertical and horizontal relations between actors in the aquaculture value chain. For example, out-grower schemes and private-public partnerships can increase small- and medium-scale farmers’ access to inputs, services, knowledge and markets in order to improve production and productivity while enabling large-scale producers to increase their market share.