Naivasha, Kenya: The African continent’s vast water resources present a promising solution to address food security and poverty eradication through the development of aquaculture. Dr. Huyam Salim, Director of the African Union-InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), highlighted the potential of aquaculture in providing a sustainable means of producing fish, shrimp, and other aquatic species.
Speaking at the 2nd General Assembly Congress of Aquaculture for Africa (ANAF), Dr. Salim emphasized the significance of aquaculture in meeting the growing demand for food, citing its controlled environment that allows for year-round production and reduces the impact of seasonal variations on food availability.
However, she identified financial capital and collaboration among stakeholders as significant challenges hindering the sector’s growth. ANAF, endorsed by African Ministers as an African Union-recognized network, aims to enhance aquaculture production and address existing gaps.
Dr. Salim urged the private sector to collaborate with governments to foster sector development. To support small-scale aquaculture farmers, governments should facilitate information sharing and the creation of cooperatives to access financing from financial institutions.
Stakeholders, including representatives from the Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Kenyan government, emphasized the potential of small-scale fish farming to empower local communities by creating employment opportunities and generating income. Despite its potential, aquaculture in Africa faces challenges such as limited access to finance and technology, infrastructure deficiencies, and post-harvest losses.
Ndiaga Gueye, Senior Fisheries and Aquaculture Officer at the FAO Regional Office for Africa, highlighted ANAF’s objectives, which align with FAO’s mission to achieve more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, nutrition, environment, and life.
Stakeholders emphasized that investments in technology, infrastructure, education, sustainable practices, and effective governance are crucial to unlocking the full potential of aquaculture in Africa, fostering economic development, and improving the livelihoods of millions on the continent. Despite Africa having over a billion people, only 600,000 are directly employed in the aquaculture sector, contributing a meagre 6 percent to global fish production.
