Market and Value Chains
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12348/4
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- In 2024, significant strides were made in advancing aquatic food systems that are climate-resilient, inclusive, and nutrition-sensitive. Through targeted innovation, scientific research, and strategic policy engagement, efforts supported communities in building resilience to climate-related shocks. The application of digital technologies, sustainable aquaculture practices, and co-management approaches contributed to improved livelihoods, while inclusive value chains and emerging technologies enhanced opportunities for women and youth. Nutrition-focused interventions further demonstrated the critical role of small fish and fish-derived products in addressing micronutrient deficiencies. Collectively, these developments highlight the growing importance of aquatic foods in global strategies for food security, public health, and climate adaptation.
- The 2024 annual FASA workshop was held in Lusaka, Zambia, on November 11–15, 2024. During the workshop, key achievements, challenges and solutions were highlighted and discussed. This event brought together FASA partners from Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Sweden and Malaysia, providing an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in Year 2 and strengthen collaboration for the project’s next phase in Year 3. In its second year, the FASA project continued to make progress toward achieving deliverables for the year despite facing challenges, such as delays in some activities. Building on the foundation established in its first year, the project successfully completed a scoping study to identify and select alternative raw ingredients for fish feed. It also continued its research on the nutrient requirements of fish, strengthened capacity building efforts and fostered engagement with stakeholders to achieve the project’s milestones. In addition, FASA’s partners remained dedicated to delivering project activities despite challenges that arose.
- The Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway Technical Evaluation and Interim Recommendation Report provides a comprehensive assessment of various climate-smart technologies aimed at reducing aquatic food loss and waste in East African fisheries. Authored by Christoph Müller, Heike Hoedt, and Aditya Parmar, the report focuses on solar-powered solutions for drying, cooling, cooking, and ice production, all designed to enhance sustainability, reduce operational costs, and improve fish preservation.
- This report summarizes the field visits conducted in Mozambique from 5th To 17th March 2025 , by the Worldfish (WF) contracted consultant from Simply Solar GbR and the local Worldfish Research Associates, supported by the IDEPA headquarter and local delegations as well as the local WCS delegations. The team consisted of Helena Salência from Worldfish and Christoph Müller from Simply Solar GbR. The purpose of the field visits was to gather insights into the fisheries activities around Maputo Bay, including Ilha de Inhaca and in the Nampula region. In the Nampula region, Carlos Meirinhos from the local WCS office supported the team.
- In August 2024 Simply Solar conducted an assessment visit to stakeholders and installations in coastal fisheries in Kenya. Aim was the identification and review of existing technologies in the fish industry: for processing (thermal processing) and cooling at the project locations. This review shall help understand what is already available at the project's sites and the technological gaps that can be quickly filled with existing options. Based on the learning from the assessment visit to Kenya and based on the information and orientation given by Worldfish consultant Yahya Mgawe and representatives of Tanzanian project partners the assessment visit concentrated on private stakeholders and Cooperatives, rather then BMUs.
- Ghana's poultry sector faces different interrelated systemic challenges, often diagnosed in isolation, leading to interventions that neglect unintended consequences across the value chain. Consequently, a holistic prognosis of the impact of these systemic problems that considers the different facets of the poultry industry is required. This paper aims to examine the system archetypes emerging from the inherent industry-level and farm-level problems in Ghana's poultry sector. Adopting a participatory group model building process, causal loop diagrams and feedback loop analyses were applied to understand the interacting factors in four systemic problems prioritised by stakeholders in Ghana's poultry value chain. Four causal loop diagrams were mapped for these systemic problems; (i) inadequate research funding (ii) low adherence to biosecurity measures at the farm level; (iii) lack of access to credit; and (iv) the competition from cheap imports of poultry meat products. The findings highlight three emerging problem archetypes. First, the underachievement archetype, specifically the limit to growth, emerges when technology adoption due to increased research funding interacts with the non-adherence to biosecurity measures as a cost-cutting strategy at the farm level. Second, the out-of-control archetype emerges when the misuse of antimicrobials due to the non-adherence of biosecurity measures interacts with the industry's collapse and the consequential surge in chicken imports into the country. Third, the relative achievement archetype emerges from the reinforcing feedback loop which centres around the surge in imported chicken as a response to looming food insecurity concerns arising from insufficient domestic supply. The “success to the successful” archetype is thus created, where importers in the poultry value chain become more prosperous at the expense of the entire industry. The paper presents solutions to the emerging problem archetypes, providing stakeholders with a chance to evaluate the unintended consequences of proposed government policies aimed at rejuvenating local poultry production.
- This report provides valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders seeking to support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the aquatic food sector in Southern Africa. The report highlights the importance of targeted capacity-building programs in addressing the specific needs of SMEs to enhance their capacity to deliver nutrient-dense aquatic foods to address household food and nutritional insecurity and in turn promote sustainable development in the region.
- This insight brief captures the learnings from the knowledge exchange session held at the Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS) inception workshop, hosted by WorldFish from 9-12 October 2023, in Penang, Malaysia. The inception workshop brought together over 70 experts and scientists from 27 collaborators, partners and potential partners in participatory discussions to give shape to Phase 1 of AABS (2023-2027) to be implemented in Bangladesh, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria and Tanzania.
- This insight brief captures the learnings from the knowledge exchange session held at the Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS) inception workshop, hosted by WorldFish from 9-12 October 2023, in Penang, Malaysia. The inception workshop brought together over 70 experts and scientists from 27 collaborators, partners and potential partners in participatory discussions to give shape to Phase 1 of AABS (2023-2027) to be implemented in Bangladesh, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria and Tanzania.
- This insight brief captures the learnings from the knowledge exchange session held at the Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS) inception workshop, hosted by WorldFish from 9-12 October 2023, in Penang, Malaysia. The inception workshop brought together over 70 experts and scientists from 27 collaborators, partners and potential partners in participatory discussions to give shape to Phase 1 of AABS (2023-2027) to be implemented in Bangladesh, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria and Tanzania.
- This insight brief captures the learnings from the knowledge exchange session held at the Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS) inception workshop, hosted by WorldFish from 9-12 October 2023, in Penang, Malaysia. The inception workshop brought together over 70 experts and scientists from 27 collaborators, partners and potential partners in participatory discussions to give shape to Phase 1 of AABS (2023-2027) to be implemented in Bangladesh, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria and Tanzania.
- In discussions with partners of the Development and Scaling of Sustainable Feeds for Resilient Aquatic Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa (FASA), the central topic was enhancing sustainable use of innovative aquaculture solutions in Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, and beyond. Key agreements were the need for improved market access, climate adaptation strategies, and digital solutions within the vulnerable agriculture and aquaculture sectors. Recognizing the transformative potential of technology and collaboration, the engagement envisioned studying the ecosystem and establishing a scaling platform consisting of innovators and fit-for-purpose partners who can improve the scaling potential as a vital component to address these challenges. Therefore, studying scaling platforms is crucial in this context, as they serve as catalysts for exchanging knowledge, adopting technology, and developing solutions tailored to the unique needs of the African aquaculture sector.
- Nigeria’s economy stands as one of Africa’s most dynamic, undergoing a significant demographic shift. Expected to surpass all other countries in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) in gross domestic product (GDP) by 2023, it already plays a substantial role in regional government finances and oil exports. Projections suggest it will become the world’s third-most populous country by 2050. Pre-COVID-19, the economy was on track to grow by 60%, reaching USD 599.3 billion by 2023. However, challenges such as high poverty rates, income inequality, governance issues and limited public spending persist, setting it apart from similarly sized economies elsewhere. This economic and demographic evolution exerts substantial pressure on natural resources and food systems. Malnutrition remains a critical issue, affecting 49% of children under 5 years old, with 34% not receiving adequately diverse and nutritious diets for optimal growth. Moreover, rates of overweight and obesity among children and youths are rising, partly because of shifting consumption patterns toward less healthy diets.
- Aquaculture in Zambia is still in its early stages, yet it holds significant potential for expanding the country’s fish production capacity. Over the past four decades, there has been a steady increase in fish production, with the total reaching 168,480 t in 2021 (Figure 1). Notably, the past decade witnessed accelerated growth, averaging a 6.7% annual increase in production (Department of Fisheries 2021). Despite this growth, however, a recent government estimate indicates a deficit of 74,000 t in fish supply, prompting Zambia to become a net fish importer to meet demand. The Zambia Statistical Agency reports that fish imports have been on the rise over the past 40 years, peaking at 126,886 t in 2016 before gradually declining to 79,941 t in 2020. This decline is attributed to the burgeoning aquaculture sector and the steady increase in production from capture fisheries within the country (Zhang et al. 2024). During this period, major import sources included Namibia, China, South Africa and Poland. Conversely, Zambia also engages in fish exports, albeit at a modest scale. Despite fluctuations, exports remained below 10,000 t annually, with a notable increase from 532 t in 2018 to 6725 t in 2021. Key export destinations include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Hong Kong, the United States and Malawi. This dynamic reflects both the evolving landscape of Zambia’s fisheries sector and its growing participation in international trade networks.
- Ensuring that farmers have access to wellbalanced and cost-effective feeds is essential for achieving profitable and sustainable aquaculture production. In East Africa, particularly in Kenya, a significant portion of aquafeeds consists of farm-made supplements produced either onfarm or by small scale feed manufacturers. Improving the quality and processing of these feeds is crucial for enhancing productivity and achieving cost savings in the aquaculture sector.
- WorldFish Myanmar is implementing the USAID-funded Feed the Future Burma Fish for Livelihoods (F4L) and the multi donor fund Livelihood and Food Security Trust (LIFT) My Market (MYM) project. This Aquaculture and Freshwater Fisheries Market System Analysis (MSA) aims to provide WorldFish with a systemic analysis of the market constraints associated with the aquaculture and freshwater fisheries system, and how the fisheries food system has evolved as a result of the measures taken by Governments and other external factors that have affected availability, affordability and accessibility of fish production, processing and market systems for fish, and fish-based food in general. The purpose of this MSA is to understand how the aquaculture and freshwater fisheries market system has evolved since 2020 and what coping mechanisms by the different value chain and market actors have developed since 2020. The underlying research will assist in designing fish food security, livelihoods, and private sector interventions to help fish farmers, communities, trades and SME increase their resilience and cope with the consequences of increasing climate variability, internal conflicts in Myanmar, the global economic inflation and uncertainty.
- WorldFish Myanmar is implementing the USAID-funded Feed the Future Burma Fish for Livelihoods (F4L) and the multi donor fund Livelihood and Food Security Trust (LIFT) My Market (MYM) project. This Aquaculture and Freshwater Fisheries Market System Analysis (MSA) aims to provide WorldFish with a systemic analysis of the market constraints associated with the aquaculture and freshwater fisheries system, and how the fisheries food system has evolved as a result of the measures taken by Governments and other external factors that have affected availability, affordability and accessibility of fish production, processing and market systems for fish, and fish-based food in general. The purpose of this MSA is to understand how the aquaculture and freshwater fisheries market system has evolved since 2020 and what coping mechanisms by the different value chain and market actors have developed since 2020. The underlying research will assist in designing fish food security, livelihoods, and private sector interventions to help fish farmers, communities, trades and SME increase their resilience and cope with the consequences of increasing climate variability, internal conflicts in Myanmar, the global economic inflation and uncertainty.
- This brochure highlights the benefits of incorporating fish into regular meals for enhanced taste and nutrition. It covers traditional recipes, cooking methods like steaming to preserve nutrients, and the importance of fresh, clean fish. Small fish like mola, chela, and Punti are rich in essential nutrients like vitamin A, iron, and calcium. It also promotes adding fish to vegetable dishes and creating child-friendly options like fish cutlets or fish powder for added nutrition. Encouraging local fish farming and sustainable practices can address malnutrition and improve community health.
- This leaflet gives an overview of the benefits of small fish consumption.
- This poster gives a brief overview of the benefits of small fish consumption.