Africa

Malawi

• Regional Aquaculture Development in Malawi
• Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security, Malawi

Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security, Malawi

Project purpose: The project will expand the mandate and capacity of the Malawi College of Fisheries to deliver training in post-harvest processing and to raise awareness among mid-level fisheries officers and community representatives about the sustainable management of aquatic resources.

Key results to date: Five Department of Fisheries - Malawi College of Fisheries (DOF-MCF) staff members are completing master's degrees in environmental education, fisheries science and post-harvest technology. Training courses have been provided for 25 employees in management, public awareness, fish processing technology, collecting baseline data, strategic planning, video production, curriculum development and food safety. Twenty-three participants have received training in community-based teaching methods and advanced fish processing technology. Two fishing communities have been identified for outreach and education activities, selected in consultation with the village committees. Extension courses have been designed and delivered on fish handling practices (onboard and beach side), sanitation and hygiene, and methods of preservation. Three training courses have been conducted for 55 fishers and processors (42 men and 13 women). Outreach activities have also been conducted in the school system to teach children, who may begin fishing as early as age 10, about environmental education and communication.

Regional Aquaculture Development in Malawi

Project purpose: The project aims to support the development of the aquaculture sector in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to supplement the nutritional requirements of the population of one of the poorest regions of the world and to provide employment and income for smallholders. It will achieve this by helping Bunda College of Agriculture, University of Malawi, to become a regional centre for aquaculture training and research and to design and deliver relevant programming to the public and private sectors. As such, Bunda College will become the local experts in the design and delivery of relevant aquaculture programming for both the public and private sectors.

Key results to date: Bunda personnel gained first-hand knowledge and experience in designing and delivering short courses. Experience in evaluation was also gained through the completion and analysis of a comprehensive evaluation of the first short course. Bunda faculty members acquired experience in designing and delivering social science questionnaires and knowledge of gender issues through the design and implementation of a gender survey. Two Bunda faculty members advanced their education by successfully completing graduate programs at Memorial University in Aquaculture (one Masters, one PhD). A number of applied research projects relevant to community needs have been initiated. Dialogue with practitioners in other parts of Africa and the world has been initiated and will contribute to the acceptance of Bunda as a regional centre and enable faculty members to add to their knowledge through interaction with other teachers and researchers. A regional workshop in Malawi has highlighted to stakeholders and government in the region the critical role of women in food security through aquaculture.