Role of tilapia (Oreochromis andersonii) in integrated farming systems in Zambia

Abstract

The old system of cultivating several species of tilapia together in the same pond has been changed to monospecies culture. Oreochromis andersonii has been shown to yield good growth and production rates. A broodstock (Kafue strain) of the species was introduced into the Chilanga Fish Farm and separate ponds for the production of fry, fingerlings and market-size fish have been maintained. Integrated fish farming using fish-cum-pig and fish-cum-duck combinations has given very good production results. Modest averages worked out for the fish-cum-pig systemare between 4 and 6 t/ha/year and for the fish-cum-Peking duck system between 3.5 and 4.5 t/ha/year. The paper describes details of the integrated farming technology with special reference to the role of O. andersonii , pond management practices and related economic considerations.