Integrated Agri- Systems & Aquaculture

Populations in Luapula and Northern provinces of Zambia are highly vulnerable to chronic food and nutrition insecurity and lack of dietary diversity.

The solution seeks to integrate aquaculture with the production and consumption of other nutrient dense foods such as cassava, millet and sorghum which are cultivated locally. Sustainability in aquaculture will be maintained through the use of domesticated, selectively-bred, high-health fish reared on sustainable feeds that have low carbon and environmental footprints. While cassava by-products can be used as fish feed, we will also develop products for human consumption from fish, cassava, millet which have a long shelf life and can help communities bridge the hunger seasons.

Globally this solution could reduce carbon footprint by reducing transportation of fish and aquaculture products (especially fish from China) to meet local demand and increase the consumption of fish which is a low carbon protein and high in macro nutrient

In Zambia, malnutrition is a major burden on the health system. 40 percent of children under 5 years are stunted (above the developing country average of 25%) (Unicef, 2019). Among adults 33.7%  of women suffer from anaemia which may lead to adverse maternal and reproductive health outcomes.  In Zambia, Northern Province has the highest proportion of stunted children (49 percent). Wasting is highest among children in Luapula Province (13 percent).  Despite the agricultural growth that the country has experienced during the last decade, levels of malnutrition in the form of stunting, underweight and wasting have barely changed. Inadequate intake of several micronutrients especially  Vitamin A, iodine, iron and zinc  is widespread because staple diets are predominantly maize-based with low essential micronutrients. Additionally, current micronutrient intakes of animal products are low (IAPRI, 2016). Several barriers to access to food in Northern and Luapula provinces include low soil fertility, restricted access to wetlands, poor diversity of food crop production, poor post-harvest practices and poor access to fertile farmland and fishing areas (Callens and Phiri, 1998). Additionally, Luapula and Northern provinces are among the poorest provinces in Zambia with 85% of people in the two provinces classified as poor.

This solution aims to improve food and nutrition security, incomes and health of poor households in selected districts of Northern and Luapula provinces of Zambia with special consideration of women of reproductive ages and young children in the first 1000 days  of life. This will be achieved by supporting smallholder farmers to engage in nutrition-sensitive farming enterprises (fish-crops-livestock) utilizing gender responsive and cost-effective production practices and technologies. We will promote the use of clean seed (both fish and crops), processing technologies that promote a longer shelf life (including drying of fish and cassava) as well as development of nutrient-dense fish, cassava and millet products that can be consumed locally as well as marketed for a profit. The links between crop production and fish production will be enhanced. For example,  through the development and use of cassava waste products in fish feeds as well as use of fish waste products as manure/fertilizer for crop production. The solution will promote production enhancing technologies for all-season production; such as the use of impluvium based water management systems, improved feeding and fast-growing breeds with appropriate pond management techniques. The solution will also promote the establishment of out-grower schemes for small fish species and vegetables.

This solution aims to improve food and nutrition security in the first 1000 days of life, by targeting women of reproductive age groups who in many cases suffer from anemia and Vitamin A deficiency. Targeted also are young men and women and smallholder farm households to improve food and nutrition security as well as incomes and well-being at household level. These groups will be catered for because the solution will focus on  increased productivity and consumption of nutrient dense food as well as training on nutrition and entrepreneurial skills and production technologies. WorldFish has conducted a census of fish farmers in the area to understand the challenges they facing. Currently it is developing innovation platforms which engage smallholder men, women and young farmers to understand their opportunities and challenges in order to co-develop solutions. 

The solution adopts a food systems approach which enables smallholder farmers not only to bridge the hunger seasons but also to add value to their products.  The theory of change is that market based agri-food systems with aquaculture as a forerunner farm enterprise integrated with crops will enhance productivity, profitability and consumption of nutrient-dense foods and animal protein with resulting positive impacts on health.

The solution will contribute to promoting a shift towards nutritious diets and
consumption of low carbon proteins. Aquaculture can contribute to lowering ozone gases through the proper management of feed and reduction of transportation-related pollution, if fish and fish products are locally sourced. By promoting better fish feed management and promoting farmer knowledge in aquaculture to increase efficiency in the sector as well as better management and production practices for millet and cassava, the project will be able to increase local availability of nutrient-dense foods.

The intervention will endeavor addressing systemic constraints through support to these beneficiaries so as to build capacity and encourage development of sustainable market relationships with intermediaries in a way that drives desired change in behavior. Together with iDE, Worldfish intends to deepen and scale up nutrition-sensitive fish production approaches to increase availability, access, and consumption of micronutrient-rich small fish through integrated agri-food systems involving crop and small livestock enterprises to improve food and nutrition security in targeted communities underpinning iDE’s last mile development models to redress effects of food insecurity and its offshoots of malnutrition. 

The increase in production will be achieved through integrated systems promoting agricultural intensification, increasing productivity and the number of farmers participating in production, driven by enhanced private sector participation as key drivers of agriculture support services. This will be achieved by building on the success of WorldFish’s sustainable aquaculture research on enabling enterprises to progressively enhance production efficiency and sustainability through the use of domesticated, selectively-bred, high-health fish reared on sustainable feeds in gender-inclusive production systems that have low carbon and environmental footprints augmented by iDE’s market systems approaches in addressing last mile challenges of limited agriculture support services impacting rural populations;  iDE’s FBA model offers high-impact opportunities to improve and scale low-income communities’ farming systems, increase their productivity, and obtain greater market access.  FBAs bring technical assistance, facilitate access to climate smart technologies, improved quality inputs and facilitate access to credit, and help the targeted farmers sell their products.

Our technology is based on the best management practices that have been gathered through WorldFish's research on the use of poly-culture and integrated farming methods. These have been proven to provide nutrition at household level as well as income through out the year by Integrating production of locally-adapted varieties of crops, livestock and fish species. This is chosen based on local nutrition issues and potential solutions to improve dietary diversity based on WorldFish work and experience in Luapula and Northern provinces complemented by iDE’s experience in increasing income and livelihood opportunities for rural poor people by facilitating market access to support services for selected crop, small livestock and fish farming enterprises.

The project design is guided by the sustainable livelihood approach, using value chain analysis and seeking comparative advantages of specific commodity clusters focusing on two main purposes; improved and sustainable income and food security in the province through fisheries, agriculture and agribusiness development; and more supportive policy, and institutional environment.

Furthermore, the solution will facilitate for the development of supply chain  productive inputs enabling access by rural producers using iDE’s FBA model; agriculture input supply through private sector linkages will lead to the establishment of commercial pockets by using the FBA hub model supporting integrated farming systems;including systems embracing small scale irrigation, small livestock and aquaculture/fish farming and the promotion of productivity-enhancing technologies through demonstration and other learning events; climate-resilient technologies and practices (conservation farming, use of disease-resistant and fast-maturing of crop varieties, livestock breeds and fish species).

The analysis of food security considers issues related to availability, access and utilization of food (known as the three pillars of food security) to redress the unprecedented high levels of malnutrition, ill health and underdevelopment. The theory of change being envisioned is that market based agri-food systems with aquaculture as a forerunner farm enterprise integrated with vegetable crops and other livestock will enhance productivity, profitability and consumption by smallholder farmers and similar vulnerable livelihood groups buttressed by good water and sanitation will in a long term redress cyclic challenges of malnutrition, ill health and underdevelopment.

This will be achieved by supporting identified livelihood groups to engage in integrated (nutrition-sensitive) farming enterprises (fish-crops-livestock) utilizing cost-effective production practices and technologies. The project seeks to scale up the achievements scored in previous fish centered research activities by WF in the two provinces in identifying and packaging of agricultural technologies and practices appropriate for integrated food systems and livelihood-enhancing solutions with potential to create sustainable economic growth and greater food productivity using market systems approaches advocated by iDE. The project will also focus on promoting utilization of nutrition sensitive foods; fish, livestock and vegetables (produce and products of the integrated agr-food system) to improve nutrition at household level through dietary diversity and to strengthen smallholder enterprise groups, improve access to suppliers and markets, including rehabilitation of feeder roads, and support the  development of the agribusiness sector and trading enterprises serving small-scale farmers.

The main objective of the solution is to improve food and nutritional security of small-scale farmer households through the development of rural  entrepreneurship. Overall, the program targets  4400 poor smallholder households, selected on the basis of their ability and willingness to undertake “farming as business”. The program has three main components: “entrepreneurship and  business development”, which aims at enhancing the household’s capacity to identify and sustainably exploit business  opportunities; “land, seed, crops and livestock”, providing technical advice to improve land and livestock productivity; and “improved service delivery of support entities”, facilitating market linkages with the agribusiness sector and improving the latter’s ability to provide services.

The first year will target about 800 households already identified through the census, with the project being scaled out to 600 - 900 farmers/year for the next 4 years. its therefore, important to note that the first year will be very critical to the sustainability the overall program with at least 50% women and youths being targeted.

Our goals in the next 5 years will focus on;

Strategy 1: Improve access to finance for production and market access   

This strategy will focus on enhancing access to affordable finance for farmers, FBAs, agri-business MSMEs (including FBA hubs) and off-takers of high value (nutrient) agricultural products. The interventions will include access to finance for production and  trade including access to finance for support services  such as transport, warehousing, insurance and banking and finance. Special focus will be placed on vulnerable groups, such as women and the youth. Further, the strategy will focus on enhancing capacities (economic volumes and quality) of established producers (individual or group based) to participate in markets beyond production areas.     

Strategy 2: Enhance agriculture nutrient-dense value chains/enterprises   

Development of above-mentioned associated value chains will include investment in production, processing and marketing, including trading mechanisms beyond production areas. Value chain development will promote the participation of small and medium enterprises, coupled with the provision of entrepreneurship services along different value chains. Emphasis will be placed on promoting participating  livelihood groups to engage in prevailing market opportunities presented by various nutrient-dense value chains.

Strategy 3: Promote small-scale agriculture incubation particularly for women and youth livelihood groups 

The focus will be on small-scale agriculture enterprises in fish, crop and small livestock, which has shown potential for driving economic and social change among women and youth. Increase in smallholder farm production levels  can facilitate the connection to downstream activities and agro-industry and respond to the growing food demand.  

Despite progress, agricultural growth remains volatile and most rural households have engaged in it only marginally. Crop diversification and productivity are low, and food security continues to be a problem. Reliance on rain-fed agriculture implies extremely volatile harvests is another barrier which has been identified.

There has been an increase in food insecurity in rural areas due to factors such as the collapse of some of the institutions which used to provide  services in rural areas leaving farmers with no guaranteed access to markets and credit.

Due to trade liberalization, Zambia has exposed local producers to tough
competition from imports.
The power outages being experienced in the country have put a lot of uncertainty in irrigated agriculture and in production of high value agricultural products. 

 Inadequate value addition due to lack of fully developed agro-industries resulting in  post harvest losses and  export of raw materials. with inadequate mechanization of the agricultural sector, the sector continues to lag behind in the region.

Integrated and diversified farming at community level is one way of achieving
sustainable agriculture. A number of strategies to realize sustainable food
productions at community level to be implemented  will include; the utilization of organic materials. In addition the promotion of suitable cultural practices such as crop rotation, improved tillage, erosion control, utilization of manure from livestock enterprises to fertilize ponds thereby reducing the amount of fish feed required , use of homemade natural pesticides from agro forestry tree, as well as utilization of crop residues for compost manure and fodders  will be encouraged in the project.
 Development of above-mentioned associated value chains will include investment in production, processing and marketing, including trading mechanisms beyond production areas. Value chain development will promote the participation of small and medium enterprises, coupled with the provision of entrepreneurship services along different value chains. Emphasis will be placed on promoting participating  livelihood groups to engage in prevailing market opportunities presented by various nutrient-dense value chains.   

In addition, efforts will be made to strengthen market linkages between primary production areas and market actors for secondary and tertiary processing for reduced costs to the final products, hence being competitive on the market as well as making the products more accessible to consumers. Support for on-farm agro-processing will also support the processing of primary agricultural products into value-added products. These will be augmented by locally adapted agricultural finance products/facilities, standardization and quality assurance specs likely to advance livelihood business cases of the enlisted agriculture enterprises. 

Currently WorldFish has 23 full-time staff and 1 intern in the country office in Zambia  

Worldfish has successfully been spearheading sustainable aquaculture research on enabling enterprises to progressively enhance production efficiency and sustainability through the use of domesticated, selectively-bred, high-health fish reared on sustainable feeds in gender-inclusive production systems that have low carbon and environmental footprints augmented by iDE’s market systems approaches in addressing last mile challenges of limited agriculture support services impacting rural populations; harnessing research that makes a difference to increase income and livelihood opportunities of rural households using market systems approaches. iDE’s FBA model offers high-impact opportunities to improve and scale low-income communities’ farming systems, increase their productivity, and obtain greater market access.  FBAs bring technical assistance, facilitate access to climate smart technologies, improved quality inputs and facilitate access to credit, and help the targeted farmers sell their products.

we believe that with the experience and expertise from the two organisations, it will be easier to streamline the project into a best management practice that will support the rural communities effectively. This is because interventions that have been done in the communities by themselves have not achieved the desired results as anticipated.

Currently WorldFish and iDE partners with the government of the Republic of Zambia by providing evidence based solutions and supporting the agriculture and fisheries sector in the implementation of agriculture projects including irrigation, fertilized fish pond concept, evaluation of the fish trade value chain in Zambia and the region and the linkages between private setor participation and food security.

our business model is based on the emphasis that for  these  projects to become bankable, here is need firstly to provide advisory services to farmers to improve the quality of farming, especially for small–scale farmers. The solution is also designed to assist farmers increase agricultural production and productivity through adoption of proven technological innovations and provision of strong linkages between farmers and farm support

organizations. In this solution farmers are reoriented to management and marketing skills to operate  and appreciate farming as a business in a market–driven environment. The overall thrust of this solution is thus creativity through innovation. 

The main objective of this priority area would be to facilitate the
development of a competitive, efficient and transparent private–sector driven agricultural marketing system. It is expected this would contribute to the generation of increased incomes from farming,marketing, trading and agro–processing. additionally, the solution will also focus on strengthening of Market Information Systems to enable farmers make informed decisions about their cropping portfolio and increasing their bargaining power during the marketing season.

lastly the solution will support the development of Entrepreneurship Skills among Extension Workers, as a way to effectively commercialize Zambia’s agricultural sector, there is need to ensure the development of

entrepreneurship skills among rural agribusiness farmer groups and ensure sustainability.