A Baseline Integrated Assessment of Aquaculture Systems Performance in Egypt

Abstract

Aquaculture plays a crucial role in Egypt’s economic development contributing substantially to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. However, contexts are increasingly changing and characterized by shifts in dietary needs, more integrated value chains, globalization, population dynamics, and climate change. An enhanced understanding of aquaculture’s performance under these rapidly changing contexts is necessary. Yet the ability to generate the required knowledge is often constrained by lack of accurate data about integrated on-farm performance of aquaculture systems. In efforts to address this gap, the current study is a collaboration between WorldFish and Sketting to assess the on-farm performance of tilapia aquaculture systems in Egypt. A detailed baseline survey was implemented in Kafr el Sheikh Governorate covering 402 tilapia aquaculture farm households. The baseline survey interviewed farm owners and managers. The information collected provides an important benchmark against which targeted interventions can be implemented and monitored to improve tilapia aquaculture production. Results show a tremendous increase in the number of tilapia aquaculture producers since 2014. We find significantly greater stocking densities (pieces/m2) in monoculture (3.9) than polyculture (3.4) systems. Although farmers practicing tilapia monoculture stock smaller-sized fingerlings compared to their polyculture counterparts, they reach the same harvest weight and obtain 20% higher yield than under polyculture. Results show that tilapia monoculture is 42% more profitable and 18% more cost-effective than polyculture systems. We do not find significant differences in productivity, profitability, and cost-effectiveness across different farm sizes. There is also a notable increase in the adoption of modern extruded feed. However, results show a growing trend in incidences of abnormal fish mortality. We also find that farmers’ perceptions of climate change and its impacts on tilapia aquaculture is very low. Similarly, farmers’ awareness of fish food safety certification is very low and only a few are interested to participate in such schemes if established. These results underscore the need for continued efforts and investments to promote aquaculture in Egypt. Specifically, the results on cost-effectiveness of tilapia culture present evidence about scalability of tilapia in Egypt. At the same time, interventions to promote wide scale adoption of aquaculture best management practices might help to reverse the trends in abnormal fish mortality in the immediate and medium term. In the long-term breeding for resilience traits will be crucial. There is also need for increased access to climate information services to improve farmers’ perceptions of climate change and its impacts in order to facilitate timely adaptation. The report discusses the implications of the study findings in detail.