Aquaculture in sub-Saharan Africa has a rich history dating back to the 1950s, with significant investments made by both governments and international organizations. However, by the early 1990s, it became apparent that the returns on these investments were not as substantial as expected, leading many observers to doubt the feasibility of aquaculture in Africa. This skepticism was further exacerbated when comparisons were drawn with the booming aquaculture industry in Asia. Despite receiving less funding than Asia, African countries were producing significantly fewer fish.
Understanding the Challenges:
The problem, as highlighted by Lazard et al. (1991), wasn't necessarily with aquaculture itself, but rather with the approach to its development in the African context. Traditional research, development, and extension systems tended to focus on transferring technology from research stations to farmers in a top-down manner, often overlooking the socio-cultural nuances of rural African communities. The Training and Visit (T&V) approach, commonly funded by organizations like the World Bank, emphasized the dissemination of "technology packages" through regular training visits by extension agents. However, this approach yielded poor outcomes, prompting donors to seek alternative strategies.
Moving Towards Solutions:
Recognising the need for a more holistic approach, efforts have been made to incorporate socio-cultural knowledge into aquaculture development projects through multidisciplinary teams and participatory approaches. Workshops and initiatives have emphasized concepts such as farmer participation, sustainability, and social equity. Despite these efforts, many projects still operate within the confines of the old top-down system.
The Role of FAO:
Over the years, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has amassed considerable experience in aquaculture development in Africa. Through regular syntheses of current practices, FAO aims to continually improve approaches and address key questions about the development process.
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