Feed and Finance
Background / Relevance:
The majority of aquaculture producers worldwide are small-scale following extensive practices often called “low input – low output” systems. To increase fish production either additional land has to come under aquaculture, or production must be intensified to yield more fish from the same area. First limiting factor to increase production is feed and feed is the main input costs for semi-intensive and intensive aquaculture operations. The required investment to utilize high performing formulated feeds usually exceeds the financial capacities of small-scale producers and thus prevent more intensive fish production. Alternative ways to feed the fish at higher stocking densities can reduce the need for investments and still allow to increase production. More intensive aquaculture also comes at a higher economic risk (diseases, natural calamities). Financial service providers are forced to ask for additional securities and higher interest rates limiting the access to finance for small scale aquaculture producers. Technical and financial trainings, e.g. by donor funded projects in cooperation with local extension services, are the basis to build capacities required to access financial services. Innovative financing instruments, strategies like microfinancing, group savings and strengthening of cooperatives complement these efforts.
In this session findings about alternative feeds from ongoing studies will be presented, the intention is to share experiences and encourage an exchange about opportunities and concerns related to alternative feeds for aquaculture. We want to address how fish production can be increased with a reduced need for investment and better understand requirements of alternative feed ingredients to enable industrial use, nutritional value, and required quantities at affordable prices.
After the tea break different opportunities for improving access to finance for small-scale aquaculture producers are showcased. Insights and experiences from eight years of implementation of the Global Programme “Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture” are shared with the participants. In addition, the side event will refer to experiences and lessons learnt from partner projects like the Global Programme “Promoting Agriculture Finance” (GP AgFin), the Agri-Business Facility for Africa (ABF) and Fish 4 ACP.
Part 1
Alternative Feeds
Part 2
Access to Finance
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