Integrating aquaculture-agriculture to combat food insecurity

Malawi

Project Details

Integrating aquaculture-agriculture to combat food insecurity

Project Overview

In Malawi, poverty is widespread, with approximately 70 per cent of the 19.1 million population living below the international poverty line. Chronic food insecurity compounds the challenges faced by communities heavily reliant on non-diversified or subsistence livelihoods, including small scale agriculture and aquaculture.

This four-year project supports the development of a productive, commercialized, and diversified agricultural and aquaculture sectors through improved and sustainable land management practices, climate-smart and resilient agriculture, sector diversification, and the use of modern technologies.

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Objectives

The project aims to combat food insecurity by increasing the productivity and income of, and access to markets by small-scale food producers, especially women, engaged in aquaculture-agriculture, which is comprised of fish, crops, livestock and agroforestry. The project will:

Develop small-scale and low-cost aquaculture-agriculture production systems that are economically sound and environmentally friendly and can be easily replicated by small-scale producers, especially women.

Strengthen the role of small-scale producers and small-and-medium sized enterprises in the value chains, especially ones that are women-led.

Project Outputs and Outcomes

Immediate outcomes of the project:

Increase adoption of diversified climate resilient technologies, such as Integrated Aquaculture-Agriculture Systems (IAAS), and other climate-smart agricultural technologies that strengthen climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Reduce gender inequalities in livelihoods, access to resources and resilience in IAAS.

Restore forest cover on degraded customary land in agricultural landscapes by expanding area and improving management of village forest area and woodlots.

Provide business development services and value chain development to co-operatives, enterprises, and entrepreneurs to create sustainable, climate-resilient economic opportunities in the agri-food sector.

Provide technical assistance to up-skill farmers and intermediaries, including government extension agents and agri-businesses, in the management and implementation of a suite of IAAS practices.