Family – Based Climate Smart Aquaculture in Africa

Can it make a difference?

Dr Sloans Chimatiro, Senior Fisheries Advisor, NEPAD Agency John Linton, Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich

• Say why we think that fish as food and nutrition is important to Africa

• Show why growth in African fisheries and aquaculture value chains is urgently needed

• Demonstrate why this is most likely to come from aquaculture

• Consider the risks and examine whether this can be achieved

• Consider the role of small-scale, family and community-based operations

• Present an example of outstanding success

• Ask what can be done to replicate this throughout Africa

In our presentation we will

• The Partnership for Fisheries Governance and Trade, implemented by NEPAD Agency and funded by DFID; www.africanfisheries.org

• The NEPAD-FAO Fish Programme, implemented by NEPAD and FAO and funded by SIDA

• ‘Aquaculture in Africa – Unlocking the potential’, a research project funded through the DFID AgriTT programme, implemented by an international team led by NRI; www.agritt.org

Our presentation draws on recent experience in three projects:

Fish is an important part of the diet in many African countries

Source: State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, 2014; FAO

Fisheries and aquaculture is important to African economies

Source: The Value of African Fisheries, NPCA/FAO Fisheries Project, 2014

• US$ 24 billion in Gross Value Added – 1.26% of total GDP in Africa

• 6.02% of Gross value Added of agricultural contribution

• Over 12 million employed – 7 million fisheries, 5 million processors

• 27% of employees females (4% are fish farmers)

• 1 million fish farmers generating US$ 3 billion per year

Although the production of livestock has increased in developing countries, the consumption of protein in these countries with people consuming the most limited amounts of protein are continually decreasing. Undernutrition, including insufficient consumption of protein, remains a persistent problem in the developing world, and although many diets within these developing countries are deficient in the quantity of protein compared to recommendations, the quality of the protein also strongly comes into focus. As global population increases, demand for protein will increase.

Dietary protein quality and malnutrition in Africa. Schönfeldt HC, Gibson Hall N., Br J Nutr. 2012

But this is not enough

Global populations will grow and demand for food will rise

Particularly in Africa

Can African fisheries and aquaculture meet this need? FAO suggests not

Source: State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, 2014; FAO

Food Production from capture fisheries is not likely to grow very much

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Source: State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, 2014; FAO

But food production from fish farming has been growing and is expected to continue

Source: State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, 2014; FAO

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Aquaculture Production in Africa

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But it needs to be better than this, just to stand still

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Have to have

Nice to have

And elsewhere

Source: FAO Statistics, Various

Aquaculture can be climate-smart and have low environmental impact

Myth: Aquaculture harms the environment. Fact: Aquaculture best practice has

minimal environmental impact. Water consumption is low, if not non-existent; Greenhouse emissions lower by an order of magnitude than those from other protein production systems.

Myth: Aquaculture is based on feeding fishmeal to fish. This makes no sense.

Fact: Yes, fish meal is an essential element in feed. However fishmeal as a % of feed has dropped by about half in the last 10 years. Also the fish used for fishmeal doesn’t have many other uses.

Myth: Fish is highly perishable. The potential for post-harvest losses constrains its potential. Fact: Fish has been traded throughout Africa for time immemorial. PHL through spoilage in

particular is a consideration, not a constraint. A robust value chain will solve this.

Myth: Aquaculture is difficult to develop in rural Africa. Inputs are expensive and hard to get, infrastructure poor and the process is sophisticated.

Fact: Between 2003 and 2010 aquaculture in Africa grew by 166% - 12% year on year based on low-external input integrated aquaculture. Indications are that the trend is continuing.

Aquaculture can be relevant for family farms

Egypt Ghana

Country Tonnes 2012

% increase 2009-12

% increase 2003-12

Egypt 1,017,783 44% 129%

Nigeria 253,898 66% 728%

Uganda 95,906 25% 1644%

Kenya 21,488 339% 2023%

Zambia 12,988 53% 189%

Ghana 27,540 284% 2826%

Sub-total 1,429,468 50% 193%

Total All Africa

1,625,330 49% 166%

Myth: A successful aquaculture sector depends on large scale investments, beyond the reach of your average family farm

Fact: While it is true that large scale investment gives the big numbers, there is a real and relevant role for the family farm. Small scale farming is predominant in Africa

Source: Adapted from FAO (2014)

Eriwe Farm Village

Eriwe Fish Farm Village was developed under the auspices of the Ijebu Development Initiative on Poverty Reduction (IDIPR) in 2001.

Today it has some 56 groups of 1,037 members. Each group has 2 ponds where they grow catfish for sale. They have about 1.5 cycles per year.

Financial management is provided through IDIPR

As can be seen in Nigeria

Source: Aquaculture in Africa – Unlocking the Potential; 1st Interim Report , 2014

The complex occupies some 150 hectares of customary land, allocated by the local King.

(To give a sense of scale, the little green square is the size of a football field)

Where family farms are clustered

• The complex is fully integrated and has its own feed mill and hatchery

• The feed mill and hatchery run as independent economic entities – The feed mill is owned by IDIPR and the hatchery is franchised out.

• Their location and proximity to the ponds means that there is a very close link between the family fish farmers and their inputs.

• The hatchery / nursery produces 1 million fingerlings per years , currently enough for the farmers needs.

• Joining members undergo training at IDIPR. Ponds are dug by hand and capital inputs are minimal.

• The major up front cost is feed. This is met through the credit scheme run by IDIPR.

Access to inputs, support and information is shared

• Fish is sold through a network of middlemen / traders, with whom the farmers have built good relationships over the years.

• Fish is transported live to markets as far away as Kano (900km)

• Innovation and coordination minimises post-harvest losses

Interacting with traders Fish ready for transport to market

Effective links have been built with the market they serve

• Each pond is stocked with 3,000 fish per cycle. These will deliver 2,850 fish table size fish, total weight 5-6 tonnes. Annual production from the two ponds is 16 tonnes.

• Fish is sold to middle men at approximately US$2.25 per kg. Prices vary marginally.

• Cost of production is approximately US$1.40

• Net income from two ponds ( the operational unit) is between US$10,000 and 15,000.

• And the cluster keeps on growing. In 2007 there were 10 groups, producing 300 tonnes. Today the figure is over 50 groups producing 1,500 tonnes

It is economically, environmentally and operationally sustainable

• In 2013 Eriwe Village Farms produced and sold slightly over 1500 tonnes of product.

• All their product was made available in Nigeria

• This is enough to provide the protein needs for 20,000 women of child bearing age or 60,000 babies in the first 1000 days of life**

** Based on daily protein requirement of 45g per female adult and 13 g per child; Protein content in fish = 20%

Eriwe Village Farms have a major nutritional impact

This is what 60,000 people looks like

Eriwe Village Farms have a major nutritional impact

Are these results relevant and replicable? Yes they are !

For:

• It is not only Eriwe Farm that has demonstrated success

• There is and there will continue to be strong market demand for fish

• Demand is such that significant growth can be absorbed

• In the face of a demonstrable business opportunity, the value chain has proven itself to be infinitely innovative and adaptable.

Against:

• Climate change can impact on access to vital natural resources

• Policy can dis-incentivise innovators and investors

• Unmanaged expansion can have unwanted side effects (disease, pollution etc.)

• So much effort, so many failures! The ‘Give a dog a bad name’ effect

And the success factors are simple: 1. A demonstrably viable business model

• Getting the business model right is a critical activity during the first phase of development.

• Demonstrability is very important. Is people don’t see it, people won’t replicate it. In Nigeria, small-holders are queuing up to become cooperative members. This is because success is visible.

• Sustainability is a critical element of demonstrable viability.

• So is flexibility

• Viability is not limited to the pond – it is the whole value chain.

• Developing a demonstrably viable business model is not a quick fix. It involves many factors and demands cooperation.

Source: Aquaculture in Africa – Unlocking the Potential; 1st Interim Report , 2014

And the success factors are simple: 2. Delivered by competent, serious actors

• Almost without exception, all those operating in successful value chain are enthusiasts. Aquaculture for them is more than a way of earning a living.

• This is as true for small-scale farmers in Nigeria as for medium scale cage farmers in Ghana.

• This commitment and passion is seen in support services that service the value chain.

• And results are • Farms are managed well and profitably • The industry is resilient • Actors in the value chain actively seek knowledge and innovation • Actors in the value chain develop a voice • Participation in the value chain becomes an activity and investment of

choice • The value chain becomes a National asset

Source: Aquaculture in Africa – Unlocking the Potential; 1st Interim Report , 2014

Get this right and the rest will follow

Source: Aquaculture in Africa – Unlocking the Potential; 1st Interim Report , 2014

Africa is already on the path to expansion - but we need to accelerate the process

Where Africa needs to be

in 2022 Where Africa is now

Where Africa is predicted to be

in 2022

Significant steps have already been taken:

Private Sector • Growth has been driven by path-finder investors & entrepreneurs – at all levels At Policy Level • Aquaculture is specifically recognised in the “Policy Framework and Reform Strategy

for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa”, ratified by Ministers of Agriculture in Addis Ababa, May 2014

• Aquaculture is increasingly recognised in Country and Regional Compacts as a means of reaching targets – 30 out of 40 countries identified fish as key driver of 6% target

Research & extension • FARA and World Fish developed framework for fish & aquaculture research in 2006 • All SROs have fisheries and aquaculture as a key component • WorldFish is leading a major CRP – Aquatic – Agriculture Systems Civil Society • International platforms such as SARNISSA developed and operational • Associations such as AASA active and growing • Pan-African Alliance of non-State Actors in Fisheries and Aquaculture (PANAFA)

formed to serve as platform for dialogue Donors • Some (but not enough) support to projects and innovations

But we need to continue to do this, and more:

Private Sector • Practitioners and investors of all sizes need to be shown that this value chain is worth

investing in At Policy Level • A deeper understanding of the contribution of the value chain to national and

continental food security, nutrition and economic development needs to advise realistic but challenging targets for development

• Policies to support sustainable growth need to be developed and implemented Research & extension • The impact and impact pathways of the sub-sector on nutrition, environmental

impact, livelihoods and development need to be better understood • Success stories need to be found and reasons for success understood and shared • Capacity needs to be built at all levels so that we can not only bring research in to use

but also make best practice common practice Civil Society • Civil society needs to be supported and empowered to ensure that development is

sustainable and equitable Donors • Donors need to be convinced that support in this sub-sector will make a big difference

And if it works, the pay-back is major:

In 2022

If development, investment & research continues on the expected trajectory FAO predicts that the African aquaculture value chain will grow by 6.5% year on year, delivering approximately 2.3 million tonnes per year, an incremental 1 million tonnes with an approximate value of USS$ 3 billion.

If further investment in the sector changes this trajectory And if the sector manages to maintain growth at the same rate as the last 5 years – 12% year on year – it will deliver approximately 4.3 million tonnes, an incremental 3 million tonnes, worth US$ 9 billion and enough to meet the protein needs of nearly 50 million people

Our conclusions are clear

1. We believe that Aquaculture sub-sector has the potential to contribute significantly and sustainably to meeting Africa’s increasing need for nutritious food.

2. Family and community farms have a major role to play.

3. Africa has already developed aquaculture systems that are world-class. The challenge is to roll these out.

4. Aquaculture in Africa has demonstrated conclusively that it can be an attractive livelihood option for the family farmer.

5. Growth has to and will happen. The combination of enabling policy and Intelligent investment will accelerate the process.

Is this possible? You decide

In 2012 Vietnam farmed 3 million tonnes

In 2012 Africa farmed 1.6 million tonnes