Sustainable Development Success Stories
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CSD-8: Sustainable Development Success Stories |
| Location |
Malawi |
| Responsible Organisation |
International Centre for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM) |
| Description |
A realistic alternative to traditional technology development has been utilised by ICLARM to integrate pond fish culture into low-input farming systems in Malawi. Resource flow charts and informal interviews were used to assess farm resources and constraints and introduce the concept of integrated resource management (IRM), which refers to the synergistic movement of resources between and among farm and household enterprises. Farmer-led IRM research projects are conducted on-farm and monitored by researchers through direct observation and on-station simulation of constraints and management practices involving 225 smallholdings in Southern Malawi (average holding size 1,6 hectares). For the success of this initiative, certain needs were identified and addressed:
The initial objective of this initiative was to overcome local constraints to integrated aquaculture through the use of locally developed technology. Low adoption rates encouraged investigation into technology transfer mechanisms, and eventually, to a unified approach to technology development and transfer (which included farmer's participation as well as the fusion of extension and research capabilities). |
| Issues Addressed |
Sustainable aquaculture, sustainable agriculture, capacity building. |
| Results Achieved |
Overhauled approach to the development and dissemination of integrated aquaculture technology, and a core group of farmers with a better understanding of how integrated systems (and especially pond Aquaculture systems) function. Involved 65-100 percent of farmers in various pilot activities adopted IRM-based fish culture and expanded their ponds continuously over three years despite drought conditions that dramatically lowered pond productivity. Improved productivity, stability and income generative capacity of smallholdings. Improved methods for technology development and transfer. Integration of Aquaculture into a farming system improves overall farm function and crop diversity. |
| Lessons Learned |
The approach has been adopted as the Malawian national strategy for the development of smallholder aquaculture. Important elements for success are a farmer-participatory approach to technology development and transfer and government support for a modified research-extension-farmer relationship. The development phase took +/- 7 years; trials and implementation took another 4 years. Incremental, farmer-participatory approaches that are adaptive to local socio-economic conditions work better than transfer of complete technology modules. |
| Contacts |
Randall E. Brummett |