Aquaculture
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12348/2
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- The Development and Scaling of Sustainable Feeds for Resilient Aquatic Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa (FASA) project aims to develop low-cost, highly nutritious fish feeds based on novel ingredients and enable 5000 smallholder fish farmers in three countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to test and adopt these ingredients and feeds. This annual progress report captures the highlights of the implementation of the project from January to December 2024 under the 5-year grant agreement (2022– 2027) with the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). The report provides information on the project’s background, implementation progress and constraints, expenditures, physical progress by component and output, communication activities, and innovative approaches or achievements, as well as priorities for 2025.
- West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh, known as the "Rice Bowl of India “produces nearly half of the state’s rice, making it a key region for India’s food security. Alongside rice, it also hosts the country’s most commercially productive freshwater aquaculture, primarily focused on Indian major carps like Rohu and Catla. Under the Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) program, efforts were initiated to transition from rice monoculture (RM) to a more integrated and ecologically beneficial model Integrated Rice-Fish Farming (IRFF). This involves co-cultivation of rice and fish using natural farming practices, with a focus on local rice varieties and species like Rohu, Catla, and Mola.
- This study compared the effects of two aquaculture systems, In-Pond Raceway systems (IPRS) and Raceway system (RW), on water quality, growth performance, and production efficiency of two Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) strains: “genetically improved Abbassa Nile tilapia (GIANT) strain” and a non-improved local strain (Kafr El Sheikh) fed diets replacing 10% soybean meal by poultry byproduct meal. Fish (initial weight: 25.0 ± 1.0 g) were stocked at 120 individuals per hapa (1 × 1 × 1.75 m3) in triplicate groups, with 12 hapas per system and reared for 70 days. The water quality parameters (temperature, 27.5–30°C; dissolved oxygen, 6.50 mg/L; pH, 6.8–7.5) remained within the optimal range for tilapia production across both systems. GIANT strain reared in IPRS exhibited 1.38% day−1 higher (P < 0.05) specific growth rate, and survival rate SR was 18.32% higher (P < 0.05) compared to Kafr El Sheikh strain. Similarly, GIANT tilapia achieved in IPRS exhibited 4.26% higher crude protein compared to RW, while crude fat was significantly lower in IPRS (P ≤ 0.05) compared to RW, and the viscera-somatic index (VSI) was significantly lower in GIANT cultured in IPRS correlating with reduced fat content, and there were no significant differences in any parameters measured on diets. In addition, total biomass showed higher (P ≤ 0.05) with GIANT in IPRS system about 689.78 kg/ha, and net yield was 2.20 kg/m3 compared to the Kafr El Sheikh strain. Moreover, Fillet yield increased 8.5% by IPRS-reared GIANT compared to RW systems. This study demonstrates that GIANT Abbassa strain cultured in IPRS outperforms in growth, yield, and fillet quality providing a sustainable model for intensifying tilapia aquaculture.
- The study investigated the effects of folic acid on the reproductive efficiency and health of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758). The adult broodstock fish were fed commercial diets (36% crude protein) supplemented with different graded levels of folic acid (2.5, 5.0, and 7.5mg/ kg diet) in addition to the fourth control group of un supplemented feed. Fish were stocked in separate hapas widened in four concrete ponds over three months. It was found that folic acid increased the total blood protein, albumin, globulins, and estradiol levels but suppressed blood ALT and AST activities and urea and creatinine levels in the adult Nile tilapia. Dietary folic acid (Vitamin B9) also plays a crucial role in enhancing reproductive performance since higher nutritional levels of folic acid significantly improve the fertility of fish males and females. It positively affected fish gonads histology with notable improvements. Additionally, the present study demonstrated non-significant adverse effects on fish blood biochemical and aminotransferases at moderate levels of supplemented folic acid. The current study suggested folic acid safety and efficacy as a dietary additive for fish well-being and good reproductive performance. The results advocate further exploring dietary folic acid in fish farming practices to optimize growth and reproductive health.
- On February 13–14, 2024, WorldFish held a stakeholders dialogue–training workshop at Tiffanys’ Canyon in Kafue, Zambia. The workshop fell under the scope of the digital fisheries information systems (FIS) component of the Program for Improving Fisheries Governance and Blue Economy Trade Corridors (PROFISHBLUE), which is executed, implemented and managed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and funded by the African Development Bank. The key objective of the workshop was to provide aquaculture and fisheries stakeholders and value chain actors with introductory training on climate information services (CIS) alongside a collective dialogue. The goal was to identify climate variabilities and risks impacting aquaculture and fisheries in Zambia in order to develop a climate-responsive decision-making framework that could help reduce climate risks and build climate resilience of the relevant actors. In addition, the workshop aimed to identify the critical data and information needs for developing a digital CIS platform for aquaculture in the country.
- To enhance capacity and facilitate technology transfer and awareness creation on nutrition sensitive aquaculture among farmers, WorldFish organized a "Field level farmers’ training program on Importance of small indigenous fish to promote nutrition sensitive aquaculture in Odisha" in collaboration with the Gram Utthan NGO. The training program took place in two batches during 10th and 11th June and 4th and 5th September 2024, at Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Dasrathpur Odisha.
- To enhance capacity and facilitate technology transfer among farmers, hatchery operators cum owners, and seed growers, WorldFish, in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, Assam, organized a "Field level farmers’ training program on induced breeding of small indigenous fish in Assam." The training took place in Mangaldai, Darrang, on September 5th, 2024.
- To strengthen capacity and promote broader technology transfer among farmers, hatchery operators, and seed growers, WorldFish, in collaboration with the National Fisheries Development Board (Northeast Centre) and the Department of Fisheries, Government of Assam, organized a one-day training and exposure visit to an SIS partner hatchery in Assam on July 17th, 2024, at the project partner hatchery site in Darrang.
- 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.
- This study investigated the effects of salinity, ammonia, and stocking density on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings over a 74-days. In three separate experiments, fingerlings (initial weight 25 ± 2.4 g) were exposed to salinity levels (5, 10, 15, and 20 ppt), ammonia concentrations (0.01, 0.02, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/L), and stocking densities (10, 15, 20, and 25 fish per 96 L aquarium). Survival, growth performance, biochemical parameters, and gene expression changes were assessed. Salinity ≥ 15 ppt and ammonia ≥ 0.1 mg/L significantly impaired growth (final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, and feed efficiency) and increased mortality rates, reaching 37% and 56% at 20 ppt salinity and 0.2 mg/L ammonia, respectively. Elevated salinity and ammonia also caused significant increases in the activities of ALT, AST, LDH enzymes, along with higher serum glucose levels, while disrupting serum protein and ion concentrations, indicating considerable metabolic and osmoregulatory disturbances. At the molecular level, the expression of the growth-promoting IGF-I gene was down-regulated, while inflammatory marker TNFα was up-regulated, suggesting compromised health. Stocking density had less pronounced effects, though densities ≥ 20 fish/aquarium led to reduced growth, altered biochemical markers, and gene expression changes compared to 10–15 fish/aquarium. These findings establish salinity and ammonia tolerance thresholds for tilapia fingerlings, emphasize optimal stocking density, and provide insights into the physiological and molecular responses to multifactorial stressors. The study contributes to sustainable management strategies for tilapia aquaculture under variable environmental conditions.
- The CGIAR Initiative on Aquatic Foods aimed to build the resilience of aquatic food systems and unlock their full potential by scaling research and innovations. Working closely with research partners in fisheries and aquaculture, civil society, industry, and governments, the Initiative contributed to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the production of aquatic foods, and enhance ecological and social resilience through development and dissemination of improved fish strains, better management practices, integrated fish-rice production systems, and fish-friendly irrigation systems.
- 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.
- The Aquaculture Decision Support Tool (Aqua-DST https:// www.iwmi.org/news/aquaculture-decision-support-tool/), a trial version launched in October 2024, is an innovative, user-friendly platform designed to guide sustainable aquaculture development through science-based suitability analysis. By performing suitability analysis, Aqua-DST helps identify high-risk areas prone to flooding and water scarcity, which allows planners and others promoting aquaculture to support more informed locations for aquaculture ponds. By also identifying demand-supply deficit areas in terms of input availability, the Aqua-DST enables value chain actors to identify business opportunities that will also improve aquaculture adopters’ access to feed and other inputs. The tool facilitates informed decision-making for township-level aquaculture expansion in Upper Myanmar. This includes the Kachin, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, and Southern and Eastern Shan states/regions. In its first version, the tool covers 37 townships in Upper Myanmar.