Integrated agriculture-aquaculture as an alternative to improving small-scale fish production in Zambia

Oliver J. Hasimuna*, Sahya Maulu, Kundananji Nawanzi, Benjamin Lundu, Joseph Mphande, Chisomo J. Phiri, Edwin Kikamba, Enock Siankwilimba, Sillah Siavwapa, Moses Chibesa*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

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Abstract

Aquaculture is a significant industry in food production, and its contribution to food and nutrition security is well acknowledged. Zambia’s aquaculture production has continued to increase significantly, thus playing a key role in supplying animal protein sources for human consumption. However, recent estimates show that 75% of the national aquaculture production comes from large-scale commercial producers despite being by far the minority while the majority of small-scale producers contribute the remaining 25% of the total annual production. This low production by small-scale producers is attributed to insufficient financial resources, poor management and utilization of farm resources, lack of access to competitive markets, and more recently a changing climate. In this research, we examine the viability of integrated agriculture-aquaculture (IAA) as a means for small-scale producers in Zambia to boost their aquaculture output despite the numerous obstacles they face. In addition, the obstacles that could prevent small-scale farmers from adopting IAA have been emphasized. We conclude that IAA has the potential to dramatically boost small-scale aquaculture production in Zambia, but information and understanding must be improved to make it a more feasible alternative.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1161121
JournalFrontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
Volume7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 May 2023

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Global and Planetary Change
  • Food Science
  • Ecology
  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
  • Horticulture

Keywords

  • agriculture
  • aquaculture
  • developing countries
  • fish farming
  • integrated agriculture–aquaculture systems
  • small-scale farmers
  • Zambia

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