Sustainable aquaculture project in Madagascar – Component A: Developing new rice-fish farming practices - PADM - RIZIPISCICULTURE

Issues

Insufficient water management and quality in irrigated areas is a major obstacle to fish spawning and rearing in Madagascar. In a context of rainfall variations and increasing pressure on land and water resources, the supply and management of water are key concerns for fish production.
Extending the reproductive period for carp is also a challenge that would enable farmers to address the risks of flooding, as well as to improve the availability of fry to stock rice fields. Finally, the effectiveness and sustainability of fertilisers and feed to increase rice-fish productivity need to be characterised in order to guarantee the suitability and performance of production systems.

Description

Through an action research approach, APDRA, in partnership with research centres in Madagascar (FOFIFA) and France (CIRAD), aims to:

• Conduct a participatory analysis in order to better understand the problems facing producers and other stakeholders in the rice-fish farming sector. A multi-year plan of action has been developed accordingly;
• Conduct studies and implement protocols to foster the development of the rice-fish value chain in Madagascar. The results of these studies will be summarised and will contribute to improving the technical models available to producers; these models will be shared with actors in the national platform to develop technical references.

Expected changes

• An increase in the quantity of aquaculture products available to people suffering from food insecurity;
• An increase in incomes and jobs in the value chain (stocking, feed and marketing);
• Better conditions for the implementation of sustainable aquaculture.

Expected impacts  

• The reproduction of carp in the Highlands of Madagascar will no longer be dependent on the seasons.
• The production of fry (survival + growth) will be improved.