Proposed Extension of the Farm Village and Rural Restocking in Benin
1. CONTEXT
Africa is currently experiencing a crisis of availability of fish.
Africa is the region where fish consumption per capita is the lowest, the only region of the world where it is falling. This decrease is mainly due to stagnation of the catch while the population continues to increase.
To maintain the current level of availability of fish in sub-Saharan Africa (6.6 kg / person / year) by 2015, production (capture fisheries and aquaculture) will increase by 27.7% during this period, this percentage is calculated on the basis of an annual population growth rate by 1.9% over the period 2002-2015 (World Bank 2004).
Unfortunately, the benefits of fisheries in Africa have stagnated and access to food, income and livelihoods of artisanal fishers who depend on are threatened. With the increasing demand for fish and intensified competition for access to fishing areas, these low-income groups may be marginalized.
Aquaculture (fish farming) here offers an interesting alternative. Globally, it provides 38% of the total production of fish, the proportion was only 16% there is not more than 15 years. In sub-Saharan Africa, however, aquaculture is less than 2% of fish production. The possibilities of a very substantial growth that would bring that production to the levels being experienced in Asia are very real. The FAO projections show that using only 5% of areas likely to receive fish farming activities, Africa could easily reach its target of fish production. The task, however, is immense. In adopting the 1997 levels as a baseline, fish production will increase by 267% by 2020 if the current level of fish consumption can be sustained in Africa.
2. INTRODUCTION
It is in this context that emerged Benin Royal Fish is the first modern aquaculture complex Benin.
Fruit of a Dutch-Beninese, this innovative project, has installed equipment to produce the most modern, currently used in Europe and Asia.
ROYAL FISH BENIN fundamental objective of making a lasting contribution to the fight against poverty in Benin.
In doing so, it will make a greater contribution to meeting the food needs of countries in protein, improved the productivity of farmers and farmers groups and more effective participation of the latter in the management of fishery resources, diversification of their income as well as improving the life and work.
The company contributes in a general way to the revival of fish production in the Republic of Benin.
After about a year of production on the site, we supplement our business through the social aspect which is our participation in the extension of the farming village.
3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
In order therefore to participate in reducing the national deficit in fish products, to promote the drop in pressure s\’exercice on fishery resources, curb the rural exodus of young and old fishermen, a public-private partnership is envisaged for the implementing the project entitled:
\”DRAFT PISCICULTURE VILLAGERS AND RESTOCKING TO RURAL BENIN\”
This project is to select in each of the twelve (12) departments of Benin up to two farmers or groups of farmers and provide financial support, equipment and technology to establish a center for farming witness, who will serve as reference for all fish farmers in Benin.
The implementation of this project requires a cautious approach based on dialogue with the people, a very fine sociological analysis, which leads us to set up these centers gradually.
Note that the management of these centers will be completely autonomous and independent BENIN ROYAL FISH but the latter will accompany producers during the three phases (Development, Production, Distribution).
4. DIFFERENT PHASES OF THE PROJECT
The project will take place in five phases:
PHASE 1: Awareness of the populations concerned (farmers, groups of farmers, technicians, cadres of the administration of the Livestock and Fisheries …)
For this phase we will be holding informational meetings in each department in partnership with leaders of CERPA (Regional Center for the Promotion of Agriculture).
PHASE 2: Selection of farmers or groups of farmers in each department of Benin
The idea is to select by department one or two farmers or groups of farmers who will be accompanied by the program. It will then witness the farmer with the Department of the rules of operation and production set by the program.
The selection committee of farmers and farmers groups will be composed of:
- Technical Director of ROYAL FISH BENIN (Mr Godfrey AKALONU)
- A Specialist in Freshwater Ecology, Fisheries and Aquaculture (Probably Dr. Ibrahim Imorou TOKO)
- A representative of the department concerned CERPA
- A representative of donors
The selection criteria will be established in advance by the Committee
Phase3: provision of equipment, Fish farmers SELECTED SERVICES
The terms of the contract between the program and the farmers and farmers groups selected
After selection, a contract will be signed between farmers or groups of farmers and the Program will include among others:
The availability of the recipient by the program:
- Three (03) ponds of 200 sqm each (10 meters by 20 meters)
- Production equipment (pump, nets, …)
- The closure of the ponds against predators (Grilles)
- The terms of supply and fry foods BENIN ROYAL FISH
- The arrangements for training of beneficiaries in the techniques of breeding and management BENIN ROYAL FISH.
- Arrangements for monitoring production BENIN ROYAL FISH and CERPA officers of the department concerned.
PHASE 4: PRODUCTION AND TRACKING
The main problems of the fish currently are:
Lack of technical staff responsible
Lack of regular supply fry
Problems marketing of fish
The expensive price of the construction of ponds
Lack of clarity about the objectives of the farmer (farming seen as a secondary activity).
The company BENIN ROYAL FISH provides many solutions to these problems, and before the start of production by the farmers selected, will receive technical training on the site BENIN ROYAL FISH.
A team of technicians BENIN ROYAL FISH and technicians will monitor CERPA of production with strict recommendations for productions.
It will be shown during the training that fish farming can be a profitable and sustainable.
DANDJINOU Maurice ROYAL FISH BENIN SA
This post was submitted by DANDJINOU Maurice ROYAL FISH BENIN SA.
I am getting married soon to a Beninois lady and hope to relocate to Cotonou from the United Kingdom. We have decided to go into fish farming before the end of July 2009. We are looking for a place to get training on fish farming and perhaps some technical assistance. I would like to request that you point us in the right way, please.
Andrew Onyema
This transfer will help in several ways – first the skilled has plentiful information and experience about involved product, secondly, he might have some contacts with some suppliers which will help you in clinching the most effective offers in buying process plant equipment and equipments.
The development of family home mortgage under the common experience of ordinary family whether urban housing affordability balance consumption mainly depends on the stability of family income levels. The higher income levels, consumer credit for housing affordability greater. The Housing Loan played more significant role in expanding demand.