Public and donor funded aquaculture farmer development interventions in Africa have a long history with generally poor outcomes, as measured in terms of increased fish production to meet national supply needs. In recent years, commercial aquaculture has begun to grow organically led by pioneer entrepreneurs, operating largely independently of traditional donor and government supported aquaculture development programmes. The workshop session presentations will diagnose the shortcomings of the ‘technical fix’ approach employed by public and donor funded aquaculture development programmes, and demonstrate why a shift to a more holistic, humancentred paradigm is required focusing on the empowerment of farmers as aquaculture business entrepreneurs. In practical terms, this requires requires a shift from public sector-led aquaculture technical ‘training’ focusing on fish breeding and feeding, to the empowerment of farmers as value chain actors through aquaculture business management mentorship by educators with commercial aquaculture business experience.

Programme

1. Framing the problem. The shortcomings of the ‘technical fix’ development approach and the need for a ‘human-centred’ empowerment paradigm. Prof Peter Britz, Rhodes University African Union Centre of Excellence in Aquaculture and Fisheries.
2. Defining key concepts. Shifting the development paradigm from farmer ‘training’ to ‘adult education’. Dr Joy Alexander, Nelson Mandela University.
3. Case study of Empowerment in Action. Data-led aquaculture business management mentorship of tilapia farmers on Lake Victoria by educators with commercial aquaculture experience. Mr Gavin Johnson, ACMS.
4. Case study of Empowerment in Action. The Bottom-Up Approach – Giving Aquaculture Stakeholders/Farmers a Voice in Leading the Way to Empowerment: The FISH4ACP Story. Ms Aisha Ebrahim, FAO Fish4ACP Nigeria Catfish Value chain Programme.
5. Panel discussion. Speakers and representatives of development funding institutions.