Working Document Series Open Access 2010 RUF-35024

Enhancing fish production and marketing for food security and rural incomes of small-scale producers in Malawi

J. BandaB. ChirwaT. ChitsuloD. JamuP. KapondamgagaE. KaundaS. KhandoA. MaluwaN. MoyoD. Ng’ong’ola

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Abstract

190 words

Low fish production continues to be persistent problem among small scale farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. An action research using the value chain approach that links university and other actors to the farmers will guide implementation of this project to enhance fish production and marketing in the Central part of Malawi. The project will be undertaken to consolidate breeding nuclei for improved fish strain of Oreochromis shiranus and link it with multiplier and production farmers; determine and adapt best bet technologies for improved strain, understand socio-economic and institutional factors that affect adoption and marketing of fish in order to identify alternative marketing strategies, identify critical success factors for farmer organisation and microfinance institutions and their impact on rural livelihoods and identify key determinant factors for successful innovations within Malawi fish farming systems. Various actors along the value chain from input suppliers to consumers will be involved, including data generators such as University staff, students, and other stakeholders. The project will be working with 160 fish farmers to increase their incomes. Two MSc and one PhD students will be engaged as a capacity building initiative in action research and value chain analysis.

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