Sustainable development can be achieved by enabling households to pursue a mix of livelihood options (Walsh et al., 2020) and contributes significantly towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Integration of aquaculture into conventional farming practices of livestock and vegetable production systems presents smallholder farmers with sustainable ways, options and processes to create value and be competitive within the complex socio-economic environment. Harnessing aquaculture by smallholder farmers creates opportunities for them to be integrated into the green growth and markets (Denicoló & Zanchettin, 2016) through widening their products, optimally utilising the scarce water and land resources in a more efficient way as was also noted by Bock, Eisengerich, Sharapoy & George (2015).
The integration of aquaculture by smallholder farmers is beneficial as it will mitigates the effects of climate change and variability, water scarcity, and the current low productivity challenges (Gulnara and Ramona, 2024). Such innovations will diversify their economic options through increased food production, availing new food products and income that can strengthen households’ food and nutrition security and food systems. This ultimately have long-term social and environmental benefits within the “meeting the needs of present generations without compromising the needs of future generations” context.