Pond-polyculture with small indigenous fish species for improved household

nutrition in Zambia How to adapt the integrated Aquaculture and Fisheries/Agriculture-Nutrition Linkages approach from Bangladesh?

Global Workshop on Nutrition-sensitive Fish Agri-food Systems, Siem Reap, Cambodia, 5-8 Dec 2017

Sven Genschick, Post Doctoral Fellow, WorldFish, Lusaka, Zambia [s.genschick@cgiar.org]

Shakuntala Thilsted, WorldFish, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

1) Project background, goal, and outcome

The goal of the Project is to improve nutrition and livelihoods of poor, rural households in aquatic agricultural systems in Zambia through increased intakes of micronutrient-rich small fish and vegetables from own production, as well as through increased household income. An increase in fish consumption (SIS) could help reduce the prevalence of chronic and acute malnutrition, which is pertinent for Zambia, where 45% of children under five years of age are stunted, 15% are underweight and 6% are wasted (UNICEF 2013).

Expected project outcomes are:

(a) increased availability, access and consumption of micronutrient-rich small fish (and vegetables) in targeted population groups;

(b) improved gender equity and women’s empowerment, especially regarding intra-household food intake, agricultural practices and work load.

The introduction of SIS pond poly-culture is expected to allow farmers to optimize the efficiency in utilizing locally available resources. In addition, the many lakes and rivers in Zambia are home of more than 400 different fish species, including SIS. The cultivation of such species, usually sourced through capture fisheries, in aquaculture is also believed to reduce the pressure on natural fish stocks, which are currently being heavily overexploited in Zambia.

Conclusion The above outline approach is expected to guide a successful adaptation of the integrated Aquaculture and

Fisheries/Agriculture-Nutrition Linkages approach in Zambia. In collaboration with the Department of

Fisheries, Peace Corps and other stakeholders, the approach will be widely disseminated once successfully

implemented and tested.

A successful adaptation is expected to result in (1) sustainable intensification of homestead aquaculture, (2)

improved access to nutrient-rich small fish for a healthy and diversified diet, (3) improved feeding and intra-

household food distribution practices, (4) increased productivity and income, and (5) reduced pressure on

natural fish stocks.

WorldFish is a CGIAR Centre. CGIAR is a

global research partnership for a

food-secure future.

WorldFish Headquarters

Jalan Batu Maung,

Batu Maung

Bayan Lepas 11960

Malaysia

Tel. (+60-4) 626 1606

Fax. (+60-4) 626 5530

www.worldfishcenter.org

2) Approach To adapt the integrated Aquaculture and Fisheries/Agriculture-Nutrition Linkages ap-

proach to the Zambian context, a randomized control trial (two-stage randomized cluster

sampling) was chosen to assess the impact of the AF/A-N Linkages approach by using

Difference-in-Difference: comparing the before-and-after difference for the group receiv-

ing the intervention. A survey (N>350 households (2/3 aquaculture & 1/3 non aquacul-

ture) was conducted to establish a baseline for a set of primary indicators:

Mid– and endline assessments will be conducted to: (1) assess impact —> (2) learn and

modify treatment —> (3) assess impact of final treatment.

A qualitative study was conducted to ground in-depth knowledge on particularities in

food procurement, preparation, preferences and perceived barriers to selected food and

intra-household food allocation.

3) Framework for selection of small indigenous fish species:

WorldFish Zambia

Plot 18944 Lunbansenshi Close, Olympia

Lusaka, Zambia

Tel. (+260) 96 7940604 (UTC+2)

Fax. (+260) 211 29407

4) Pond polyculture trials with small indigenous fish species Ponds equal typical small-scale ponds in the area

water surface area/pond: 100m2, water level ~ 80 cm

SIS species stocked: B. radiatus (Enteromius radiatus) [n=50], T. sparrmanii - (Banded

tilapia) [n=40], Marcusenius macrolepidotus (‘Bulldog fish’) [n=75]

Additional species stocked: T. rendalii (Coptodon rendalli) [n=75]

Treatments (T), each with 3 replicates:

- T(1): rice bran + chicken manure

- T(2): rice bran + chicken manure + water lilies (Nymphaea) [water lilies are planted

to modify pond environment closer to natural habitats of SIS]

Performance assessment by treatment: productivity (weight gain, mortality), standard

length, feeding behavior (stomach content analysis).

Marcusenius macrolepidotus: high in omega-6 and ome-

ga−3 fatty acids, and Vitamin B-12 (per 100g eatable

parts). Found in well-vegetated shallow water habitats.

T. sparrmanii: high in Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) and B2

(Riboflavin), calcium and zinc (per 100g eatable parts).

Favors areas with plant cover; aults feed on filamentous

algae, aquatic macrophytes and vegetable matter of ter-

restrial origin.

B. radiatus: High in protein, fat , and calcium (per 100g

eatable parts). Prefers marshes and marginal vegetation

of lakes; feeds on insects and other small organisms.

T. rendalii: high in Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) and B2

(Riboflavin) (per 100g eatable parts). Prefer quiet, well-

vegetated water; feed mainly on higher plants, algae,

and insects

5) Intervention strategy We intend to introduce SIS pond-polyculture with nutrient-rich small fish species, BCC and gender-sensitive har-

vesting technologies to a sub-sample of our baseline (treatment group). In combination with BCC and gender-

sensitive harvesting technologies, we assume an increase in small fish availability, accessibility and consumption

compared to households with traditional aquaculture.

BCC and gender-sensitive harvesting technologies BCC (Behavior Change Communications) will aim at improving knowledge and practice of essential nutrition

and essential hygiene actions at household level. The development of BCC will be based on the findings from

the baseline as well as the qualitative study. To improve household nutrition outcomes, BCC will highlight the

role of fish in a diversified diet and the importance of fish consumption for all household members (especially

during the ‘First 1000 days’). Additionally, best practices on how to process fish into complementary foods will

be disseminated.

To enable households a frequent access to SIS from homestead aquaculture, participatory action research

(PAR) aims at developing gender-sensitive harvesting technologies. These technologies, we assume, will em-

power women to gain more control over aquaculture resources, which ideally translates into improved nutri-

tion outcomes at the household level—through consumption of fish (direct health benefit) or other invest-

ments that contribute to improved health (indirect benefits).

Sponsor

Mix of fish, including SIS collected from Bangweulu wetlands (photo © S.Genschick) Demo / trial ponds in Nsombo, Luwingu district, Zambia (photo © S.Genschick)

- Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) - Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) - Household dietary patterns - Household production diversity

- Household economic access to food

- Household sourcing of orange sweet potatoes

(OSP) and fish, especially SIS for home con-

sumption and income generation