Introduction
A study on farm diversification through rice-fish farming was conducted in two Nigerian states (Ebonyi and Kebbi) between 2020-2023. The farm diversification process provided rice farmers the opportunity to start a new farming enterprise by modifying their fields to produce fish in addition to rice, including developing their capacities on fish stocking, feeding, best rice-fish co-culture management practices, value-addition (fish smoking), among others. The system optimizes the use of available land and water resources for the simultaneous production of two food commodities, rice and fish, in the same production area, resulting in increased total farm yield per unit area, increased income and profitability, and improved levels of household and community nutrition. The ultimate goal of the farm diversification is to increase productivity as well as the farming family’s food and nutrition status. Using the food systems approach, this paper described the step-by-step process (impact pathways) required to maximize this goal.
The food system approach
The methodology employed a food systems approach to recognize the role of various actors at all stages of the food chain, from production, processing, to consumption. A theory of change and impact routes were proposed for observation and evaluation in order to identify entry points to be prioritized to perform the necessary transformative measures for better nutrition outcome
Step 1: Situational analysis
The calculated household food insecurity experience scale (FIES) indicator (12-month recall) of the sample studied indicated severe food insecurity. A large proportion of the population reported worrying about running out of food, compromising on quality and variety of food, reducing quantities, skipping meals and/or experiencing hunger within the last 12 months.
(ii) Overview of the Agriculture sector
The communities in this study are major rice producers, offering opportunities to include fish production in an integrated agri-aquaculture farming system. The seasonal calendar of farming activities showed the possibility of rice cultivation two times a year depending on annual rainfall patterns, thus presenting the opportunity for fish farming two times a year as well. Two major challenges were identified: (i) Depending on the area, access to land for farming is governed by various customary (community) arrangements or inheritance, however access to land for agricultural practices could be a challenge, especially for women; (ii) The majority of the farmers are familiar with capture fisheries, with little or no experience about fish culture. Therefore, the farm diversification intervention generated entry-level advice for rice farmers with little or no knowledge of aquaculture to modify their rice farms to produce rice and fish simultaneously.
Step 2: Theory of change
The theory of change was designed with the concept that fish production in addition to rice will have a significant impact on food and nutrition security, dietary diversity, and sustainable production for self-sufficiency.
Step 3: Impact pathways and external drivers
The impact pathways followed include: (i) resolving the constraints along the food supply chain impact pathway (fish seed, rice seed, labor, land and water); (ii) strengthening the food environment impact pathway (yield/size of fish at harvest, affordability, value addition (smoking)); and (iii) influencing consumer behavior pathways (more diverse diet (fresh/smoked fish, rice, other collected aquatic foods from the ricefields) available for purchase and home consumption in the community).
Socio-cultural inclination to a new way of farming, and perceived economic benefits (increased income and profitability) were the major key external drivers.
Conclusion and key findings
In the context of improving food security and nutrition security, the farm diversification trials demonstrated how promoting small-scale, inexpensive integrated agriculture-aquaculture (rice-fish) farming not only provides an immediate boost to the local supply of nutritious food but can also generate income. It has the potential to transform local agri-food systems in rice-producing communities into a more resilient, and economically viable venture.
Acknowledgement
The project was funded by the USAID Feed the Future Fish Innovation Lab, and implemented by experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the University of Ibadan, the University of Georgia, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike.