Water is a key ingredient essential to food production in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa – but one particular initiative being promoted by Self Help in Malawi has seen water act as both a source of crop irrigation, and an element within which food is also being produced.
Participants received training in fish farming from the Ministry for Fisheries, before working with Self Help on the excavation of ponds in which they are undertaking the enterprise.
The fish ponds have been stocked with Talapia Colongi fingerlings, while the water is also being used to irrigate adjacent vegetable plots of mustard, cabbage, onion, and sweet potatoes, as well as fields of rice and nearby maize fields.
Kweza Ziy fish pond has eleven members. The fish they produce can yield between 20-60 Malawian kwacha each (2-5 cent), but perhaps more importantly provide a vital additional source of protein and nutrition for family members. |
