FIRST QUARTER REPORT
January 1, 2007- March 31, 2007
Title of AwF-WFC Project:
Sustaining famine mitigation through integrated aquaculture-agriculture in Traditional Authority Mavwere, Mchinji District in Malawi.
Project Number: SF-1005-AWF
Principal Investigators:
Dr. Daniel Jamu - Regional Director, East and Southern Africa
Joseph Nagoli – Project leader.
Summary
The project Sustaining Famine Mitigation through Integrated Aquaculture-Agriculture (IAA) is being implemented in Traditional Authority Mavwere, Mchinji District of Central Malawi. This is a 12 months participatory initiative funded by Aquaculture without Frontiers (AwF) as a response to increase back-up services for the delivery of IAA to improve food and nutrition security and raise household incomes. The initiative uses local farmers to voluntarily provide services in extension, participatory research and inputs (local fingerling production points). The aim is to strengthen the capacity of small-scale farmers to participate as active stakeholders in the growth of the rural economy.
IAA was identified as by the communities of Mavwere as best solution to increase food security and raise household incomes. IAA benefits crops as well by recycling nutrients and water, and consequently the entire farm enterprise becomes more efficient and profitable. Raising fish in pond combined with crop and/or animal husbandry has the following benefits: The water stored in fish ponds can be used to extend crop production during the dry seasons, thereby increasing total production and attracting premium prices for out-of-season produce; increased production also provides by-products for feeding livestock (cattle, small ruminants, rabbits and poultry); livestock manures, household waste and cereal brans added to ponds feed aquatic plants and animals that in turn feed the fish; and finally, the mud that accumulates as sediment can be used to fertilize the land for fruit and vegetable crops. Overall, crop yields are increased, fish, fruit and vegetables enrich family diets, greater surpluses provide greater income and, finally, soils are not continuously degraded but made more fertile.
There were logistical challenges in starting the project as a result activities started very late. However, in the shortest time possible the following activities were implemented: 1) Awareness and problem identification with Traditional Leaders 2) Awareness to direct beneficiaries 3) Training of lead farmers and fingerling producers.
Introduction
Mchinji district is one of the nine districts in the Central region of Malawi endowed with rich soils and high water sources. The total human population is 324941 and population growth rate is estimated at 2.5% per annum. Over 90% of 324941 people depend on agriculture for food, income and employment. Main crops grown are tobacco, maize, ground nuts, and sweet potatoes. Fish farming was introduced in Mavwere Area (Figure 1) in 2002 by WorldFish Center with very few farmers (about 50) but currently the number has grown to over 350 with over 500 ponds. Due to the high increase in numbers of farmers within a very short period, back-up service especially fingerling sources and extension have become so limiting. Recent visit to the area has shown that new ponds are now being stocked with slow growing wild cichlids (Haplochromis species). Additionally, the district has only one extension officer making it difficult for the farmers to get adequate extension services
The project “Sustaining Famine Mitigation through Integrated Aquaculture-Agriculture (IAA)” was developed in responding to farmers problems of low fish production in the area of Traditional Authority Mavwere. The project is a 12 months participatory initiative funded by Aquaculture without Frontiers (AwF) to build local capacity in providing back-up services for the delivery of IAA to improve food and nutrition security and raise household incomes. The initiative uses local farmers to voluntarily provide services in extension, participatory research and inputs (local fingerling production points). It also targets the rural poor fish farmers by providing training for growing tilapias, different vegetables and crops besides poultry and livestock.
With improved fingerling quality and accessibility coupled with good extension services average yield is likely to increase from the current 800-1000Kgs/ha/year to 2500kg/ha/year. The water surface will be able to extend crop production period with atleast one more production of more than 20 hectares of the staple, maize enough to feed 1000 people for 4 months.
A. Project progress
1. Purpose
To promote sustainable integrated aquaculture-agriculture that will help the local communities to achieve their goal of reducing poverty and improve food security, nutritional status and increase household incomes.
2. Objectives
The project aims at promoting and implementing fingerling production and extension services that are specially suited to rural development in food insecure households. The project has the following specific objectives:
1. To improve fingerling availability and accessibility through the identification and training of specialised village fingerling producers.
2. To promote capacity building of small-scale farmers on the farmer-to-farmer extension concept to improve and sustain extension services at local level
3. Implemented work program/work plan
Objective 1: Improvement of fingering production in the project area
3.1.1 Identification and training of local fingerling producers
Seventy (70) farmers were identified by their fellow farmers to be fingerling producers. The farmers were selected based on the following: having at least four ponds per individual that could be used as brood stock pond, nursery pond, holding/rearing pond and grow out pond respectively, ability to write and read and write, good track record of managing farm enterprises.
Many farmers as required were identified to reduce risks of failure as others may drop out in the process.
3.1.2 Training of fingerling producers
The selected fingerling producers were trained in:
i) identification of fish species
j) identification of fish sexes
k) Choosing good brooders
l) brood stock management
m) fry collection and nursing
n) Transporting live fingerlings.
The trainings were participatory where the trainees were equipped with hands-on experience. The photograph below shows a Mr Katengeza showing friends on his ability to identify a male tilapia. By the end of training, participants developed individual action plans for pond renovations and before the project supplies start-up brooders.
Objective 2: Promotion of capacity building of small-scale farmers on the farmer-to-farmer extension concept to improve and sustain extension services at local level
3.2.1 Awareness of Traditional leaders
Under the decentralisation concept of devolving decision making to the grassroots, traditional leaders play a very significant role in overall management of local development. The Traditional Authority (TA) heads an Area Development Committee (ADC) which is the highest development management body at the tradition level. The Group Village Headman (GVH) heads a Village Development Committee responsible for implementation of activities.
Forty (40) local leaders comprising members from the ADC and VDC were made aware on the project and its activities using the “search conference” approach to identify needs and analyse resources available to promote IAA.
3.2.2 Resource mapping and community action planning
In order to bring ownership of the project and achievable targets the activities as planned in the original proposal were reviewed by the beneficiaries. This was done by looking at resources that the communities have and their state of productivity. A study tour was organised in sampled location of the area for the beneficiaries to appreciate the resources. After the tour beneficiaries were grouped to map availability and locations of the resources necessary for IAA that included: good soils for pond construction and crops, water sources, degradation, forests, flooded areas etc. From these maps the beneficiaries revised the action plan as given in Annex 1.
Beneficiaries being briefed
3.2.3 Identification and training of farmer extension providers
Eighty farmers were identified as model farmers that would play as lead farmers in providing extension services to other farmers. Farmer-to- farmer extension has been observed to be very effective in inducing adoption because among other farctors farmers tend to understand fellow farmers better. The farmers were selected based on levels of literacy (ability to read and write); good experience in fish farming practices (model farmers). Gender issues (women and youth) were considered in the selection process.
Training was then provided to the lead farmers to equip them with the necessary abilities, skills and knowledge that will enable them to provide extension services to other farmers in the villages. The training included: i) leadership skills ii) group dynamics iii) communication skills iv) problem identification and solving v) Extension delivery skills vi) gender and HIV/AIDS mainstreaming vii) Report writing. The farmer extensionists will undergo a six months coaching program with the help of WorldFish staff.
B. Major Accomplishments during the reporting period
The table below presents major achievements during the first quarter in relation to the actions developed together with community for the quarter.
Table 1 Progress against action plan
|
ID |
TASK |
TARGETS |
ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
REMARKS |
|
1 |
Identify local fingerling producers |
21 |
70 farmers were identified during the sensitization meeting with local leaders |
Local leaders played a vital role in choosing model farmers |
|
2 |
Train fingerling producers |
21 |
45 men and 25 women farmers were trained as specialised fingerling producers. |
More men showed interest than women in seed production |
|
3 |
Identify lead farmers |
21 |
80 farmers were identified during the sensitization meeting with local leaders |
Local leaders played a vital role in choosing model farmers |
|
4 |
Train lead farmers in aquaculture and extension delivery skills |
21 |
45 men and 35 women farmers were trained in extension delivery skills |
Women challenged men in taking up extension services to other farmers |
|
4 |
Develop community based monitoring and evaluation (CBM&E) system |
Establishment of at least 8 M&E local committees at community level |
Guidelines for a suitable CBM&E developed but not yet implemented |
|
C. Outputs
The project is of course on achieving its outputs contained in the Ghantt Chart (logical framework). The following are the milestones towards addressing problems.
· Appropriate understanding of fingerling production for small-scale farmers.
· Fish farmer networks have been strengthened and expanded.
D. Implications of Outputs and Achievements
The project has been operational for only three months as such impacts are negligible on the communities’ livelihoods at this time.
E. Bottlenecks
The rising numbers of interested farmers including HIV/AIDS affected households that require different approaches.
F. Linkages with other programmes
Sustaining famine mitigation through integrated aquaculture-agriculture in Mchinji District in Malawi is directly linked to other programmes running for the WorldFish Center in East and Southern Africa. The following are the important projects:
1. Determination of Recommendation Domains for High Aquaculture Potential areas in Africa that will provide a science based tool in identifying potential areas for pond aquaculture.
2. Famine mitigation and food security through IAA in Southern Africa
G. Collaborator
The project is being implemented in partnership with Mchinji District Assembly and the Department of Fisheries in Malawi. The two institutions provide personnel which are assisting in capacity building, coaching of the lead farmers and daily monitoring of the activities.
H. Future Plans
The major focus in the second quarter will be implementing community monitoring and evaluation system for sustainability of the project and training of farmers in IAA practices by the lead farmers with coaching from WorldFish and the partners. Farmers will have a chance of learning from each other through demonstrations and open day. Details are in table below.
Table 2: Future plans in the second quarter
|
ID |
Activity |
Target |
|
1.1 |
Conduct demonstrations |
4 |
|
1.2 |
Conduct open days |
2 |
|
1.3 |
Develop local committees on M&E systems and document WorldFish Center M&E system |
8 |
|
1.4 |
Conduct CBM&E |
|
|
1.5 |
Technical backstopping |
8 visits |
I. Budget
Overall budget spending is on track. However, due to the high interest of farmer to get involved in the project, other budget line are likely to be affected but measures to spend within budget are being undertaken.