MULUNGUSHI UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

STUDENT NAME: SOLOMON MBEWE

STUDENT NUMBER: 201904571

PROGRAME: BACHELOR OF SCIENCE AGRICULTURE

YEAR: 4

ASSIGNMENT: 1

COURSE CODE: ANS 422

COURSE: AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION

DUE DATE: 5TH MAY, 2023

LECTURE NAME: MR KAPANDA

Fish farming, also known as aquaculture, is an important sector in Zambia's agricultural industry.
It involves the breeding and raising of fish or any aquatic organism in controlled aquatic
environments such as ponds, tanks, and cages, to meet the growing demand for fish and seafood.
In Zambia, aquaculture is an important industry that has the potential to contribute significantly
to the country's food security and economic growth. The fish farming value chain in Zambia
consists of many interconnected stages or various actors, each of which plays an important role
in ensuring that the final product reaches consumers in a safe, sustainable, and profitable manner.
The aquaculture value chain in Zambia is made up of seven actors which are; input suppliers,
fish aggregators, fish farmers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers.

Input Suppliers: Input suppliers play a crucial role in the aquaculture value chain in Zambia.
They provide inputs such as fish feed, fingerlings, fish farming equipment, and technical advice
to fish farmers. Examples of input supplier are Tiger feed.

Fish Farmers: Fish farmers are the backbone of the aquaculture industry in Zambia. They are
responsible for raising fish in ponds or cages and managing the production process, including
feeding, water management, and disease control.

Fish Aggregators: Fish aggregators buy fish from smallholder farmers and collect them in bulk
for processing and distribution to retailers, wholesalers, and other market intermediaries. They
often operate as middlemen between small-scale farmers and larger processors and retailers

Processors: Processors are involved in the processing and packaging of fish products. They
prepare fish for the market by cleaning, filleting, and freezing the fish.

Wholesalers: Wholesalers are responsible for purchasing fish products from processors and
selling them to retailers or institution in bulk. They operate in urban and rural areas across
Zambia, and often transport fish over long distances to reach remote markets.

Retailers: Retailers sell fish products directly to consumers through various channels such as
supermarkets, fish markets, and roadside stalls.
Consumers: Consumers also known as customers are the end-users of fish products in Zambia.
They consume fish for its nutritional value and taste.

FISH FARMERS VALUE CHAIN

Fish farming is a relatively new industry in Zambia. However, it has experienced significant
growth over the past decade. According to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the
aquaculture industry in Zambia has grown from less than 1,000 tonnes of fish production in 2000
to over 30,000 tonnes in 2019, with most of the production coming from small-scale farmers.
The role of fish farmers in Zambia's aquaculture production is crucial. Small-scale fish farmers,
who operate on small plots of land or in small ponds, are the backbone of the industry. They are
responsible for the majority of fish production in the country, and their contribution is essential
for meeting the increasing demand for fish in Zambia as a source of protein.

Fish farmers are responsible for the management of fish farms, including the construction and
maintenance of fish ponds, feeding, and disease management. Fish farmers in Zambia use
different fish farming technologies such as ponds, tanks, and cages to rear fish. The choice of
technology used depends on factors such as the availability of water, the size of the fish farm,
and the type of fish being reared. Fish farmers in Zambia produce different types of fish,
including tilapia, catfish, and carp. Tilapia is the most commonly farmed fish in Zambia,
accounting for over 90% of the fish produced. Catfish and carp are also produced but in smaller
quantities. The choice of fish species to be farmed depends on factors such as market demand,
availability of fish feed, and suitability of the fish species to the climatic conditions in the region.

Fish farmers are divided into large-scale, medium scale and small scale. The Large scale Land-
based large-scale commercial farmers in Zambia a employ intensive pond (or tank) culture,
stocking mono-sex seed at higher stocking densities and who rely on the use of artificial feeds
and make greater capital and labor investments. Intensive land-based systems include the
construction of sophisticated earthen ponds and/or concrete or plastic water holding facilities.
Production systems are usually distinguished in terms of size between 100 and 10,000 m2 with a
stocking density of around 3–5 fish per m2 and a productivity of between 15–18 t/ha Fish
farmers in Zambia are an essential link in the aquaculture value chain, connecting fish
production with fish processing, distribution, and marketing. Fish farmers sell their fish-to-fish
processors or traders who then process the fish and sell it to retailers or consumers. The fish
farmers, therefore, determine the quantity and quality of fish available for processing and
marketing, which affects the availability and affordability of fish to the consumer population.
Subsistence fish farmers in Zambia manage their fish farming operations through a series of
steps, from fish rearing to feeding, disease management, and ultimately, the sale of their fish to
processors. Here are some of the key steps involved in managing a subsistence fish farm in
Zambia

Site selection: Subsistence fish farmers in Zambia choose a suitable site for their fish farming
operation, such as a pond or tank. They ensure that the site is free from pollution and other
environmental hazards that could affect the growth and health of the fish.

Pond preparation: The average pond size per farmer is 300- 264 square meters. Prior to
introduction fish into the pond, subsistence fish farmers in Zambia prepare the pond by cleaning
it thoroughly and adding organic matter, such as manure or compost, to the bottom. This helps to
fertilize the water and promote the growth of algae, which serves as a natural food source for the
fish.

Fish stocking: Once the pond is prepared, subsistence fish farmers stock it with fingerlings
(young fish) that have been purchased from a hatchery or collected from the wild. Tilapia
fingerlings can be stocked in the pond at a rate of 4-5 fish per square meter. Fish are not just
poured into the pond; instead, the plastic or bucket is immersed into the pond to allow water
from pond to mix with water in bucket or plastic for temperature control and acclimatization
about 30 minutes. The fish will then swim into pond water. They may also introduce brood stock
(adult fish) for breeding purposes.

Feeding: Subsistence fish farmers in Zambia typically feed their fish a combination of
commercial fish feed and locally available food sources, such as kitchen waste, rice bran, or
maize bran. They monitor the feeding process carefully to ensure that the fish are getting enough
food, but not too much. Feeding is done twice a day, with the total amount of feed given
equaling about 3% of the fish biomass. Feed is applied on or at the same spot at the pond as the
fish will know at which spot to move when it is time for feeding.
Water quality management: Subsistence fish farmers in Zambia must monitor the water quality
of their pond regularly to ensure that the fish are healthy and growing well. They may test the
water for temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH levels, and ammonia levels. If necessary, they may
add chemicals or other treatments to adjust the water quality.

Disease management: Fish farming operations can be vulnerable to disease outbreaks, which can
be devastating for the fish and the farmer's income. Subsistence fish farmers in Zambia typically
take steps to prevent disease outbreaks by maintaining good water quality, providing proper
nutrition, and monitoring the fish for signs of illness. If disease does occur, they may treat the
fish with antibiotics or other medications.

Harvesting and sale: Once the fish are mature and ready for market, subsistence fish farmers in
Zambia typically harvest them and sell them to processors or directly to consumers. They may
use a variety of harvesting methods, such as seine nets or hand nets. They may also process the
fish on-site, such as gutting and cleaning them before sale.

Overall, subsistence fish farming in Zambia requires a combination of technical knowledge,

Fish farmers in face several challenges, including access to lack of certified quality fish seeds
and commercially produced feed and if available are expensive to afford by the smallholder
farmers; Low investments by the private sector. Inadequate entrepreneurship skills by farmers
and lack of credit; Poor record keeping by the farmers and inaccurate data collection procedures
lead to distorted information being disseminated and therefore aquaculture perceived as non-
viable farming practice. The small size and geographical dispersion of production units tend to
raise the unit costs of access to services and markets. For instance, it complicates the delivery of
inputs (seed and feed) and extension services; Limited access to finance by farmers and traders
in the aquaculture value chain, which, is partly due to financial institutions limited awareness on
potential and viability of aquaculture; Local fish species have been marginalized thereby farmers
resort to imported brood-stock which is prone to disease; Inadequate producer organization:
cooperatives/farmers groups; out grower schemes and therefore lead to weak advocacy by
producer associations; Fish losses due to human theft, otters and prey birds are a major
bottleneck in some communities, while commercial entrepreneurs experience post-harvest losses
mainly due to inadequate transportation, storage and processing facilities; Low priority accorded
to fisheries and aquaculture development programs in national development programs;
Too much emphasis accorded to maize farming at the expense of aquaculture, livestock and
other farming systems in development

Possible solutions put up by the Zambian government to address these challenges include:

Access to finance: The Zambian government has established several programs to provide
financing and credit to fish farmers, including the Aquaculture Development Fund and the
Citizen Economic Empowerment Fund. These programs provide loans and technical assistance
to fish farmers, with the aim of promoting the growth of the industry.

Infrastructure development: The Zambian government has also invested in infrastructure

Training and capacity building: Government has launched several programs to provide training
and capacity building to fish farmers. This includes the provision of technical assistance, training
on fish farming techniques, and the establishment of demonstration farms to showcase best
practices.

Market development: Government is working to develop markets for fish farmers, including the
establishment of fish markets and the promotion of fish consumption. The government is also
working to improve market information and access to buyers, as well as the development of
transportation and storage infrastructure.

Climate change adaptation: Government is working to promote climate change adaptation and
mitigation measures in the aquaculture industry. This includes the promotion of sustainable fish
farming practices, such as the use of renewable energy sources, and the development of early
warning systems to help fish farmers prepare for extreme weather events
REFERENCES

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Study of Mumbwa and Chibombo Districts. International Journal of Environmental Research and
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Kaunda, E. W., & Ngoma, H. (2019). Overview of the status of aquaculture in Zambia:
Opportunities and challenges. Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and
Subtropics (JARTS), 120(2), 127-136.

Kaminski, A.M., As, K. and Cole, S.M. (2018) ‘responsiveness to the needs of the poor
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Moyo, P. (2020). Analysis of the aquaculture value chain in Zambia. Journal of Aquatic
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Moyo, S., & Hamududu, B. (2018). Fish farming in Zambia: A review of the policy, legal and
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Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. (2017). Aquaculture Development Strategy for Zambia
(2018-2022). Lusaka, Zambia. Nalubamba, K. S., Choongo, K., & Chitundu, M. (2017

Zambia Aquaculture Development Fund. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.zadf.org.zm/

The Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission. (n.d.). Retrieved from