See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338447751 Opportunities and Constraints Facing Fish Production System in DR Congo Article · January 2020 CITATIONS READS 0 126 7 authors, including: Mushagalusa Namegabe Janvier Parent Kulimushi Zihalirwa International institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Université Evangélique en Afrique 1 PUBLICATION   0 CITATIONS    4 PUBLICATIONS   1 CITATION    SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Nsharwasi Leon Nabahungu Kande Paul MUTANDA Matungulu International Institute of Tropical Agriculture PRIA PROJECT 43 PUBLICATIONS   356 CITATIONS    7 PUBLICATIONS   48 CITATIONS    SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Aquaculture Assessments and Value Chain Pilot Project to Improve Fish Supply, Employment and Nutrition in Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Aquaculture value chain development in DR Congo and Northern Angola) View project OFRA Project View project All content following this page was uploaded by Mushagalusa Namegabe Janvier on 27 January 2020. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. Volume 4, Issue 12, December – 2019 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology ISSN No:-2456-2165 Opportunities and Constraints Facing Fish Production System in DR Congo 1Mushagalusa Namegabe Janvier, 2Parent Zihalirwa, 2Olame Ngangura, 2 Safari Mulume, 1Léon Nabahungu,1Matungulu Kande, 1Okafor Christopher 1International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) 2Universite Evangelique en Afrique (UEA) Abstract:- The current aquaculture production systems for sustaining growth over the next two decades; hence, in the village environment and their constraints and there is a need of identifying livestock systems that allow a opportunities were studied to understand the reasons margin for progress that can increase production for the decrease in the number of fishponds in South significantly. Furthermore, these livestock models must Kivu, eastern DR Congo. . Little is known about fish also be sustainable (HELP, 2014b). Fish farming production in South Kivu; thus, this study was carried contributes immensely to the improvement of food as it out in two phases: a survey, a follow-up of the farms enables other agricultural activities to flourish. The ponds over the course of a year and a literature review. constitute a "pantry," which, during the agricultural season, Accordingly, 305 aquaculturists from three territories feeds and rescues a peasant from walking tens of kilometres were interviewed from May to November 2019. This in search of food (Mbangassi, 1978). In the DR Congo, breeding is mainly practiced by men (91.6%), adults there was an estimated 78,907 fishponds in 1990 which (45±14 years), married (93.6%), fish farmers with no covered an estimated area of 1,305 ha (Micha, 1974a) with formal education (36.5%, ) farmers who practice an estimated production of 3,269 tons. In 2000, there was a agriculture as their main activity (68.5%, ) and farmers significant drop in yield and fishponds of up to 2,751 tons engaged in fish farming as a secondary activity (60.4%). and 36,515 fishponds. Fish farmers have 13±9 years' experience; and only 39.0 percent of fish farmers received training on good fish In Kivu, fish farming was quite well developed, farming practices. Membership to groups or especially in South Kivu. The number of fishponds was associations is low (6.1%). Tilapia sp is the widely estimated at 1028 over an area of 170 ha with an estimated cultivated species (82.6%), followed by a combination of production of 425tons, mainly from dam ponds (Anonym, Tilapia-Catfish (17.3%). Fish are reared in medium- 1990). Despite the presence of aquaculture infrastructure in sized fishponds (358.7±230.4 m2) at unknown age all the provinces in the country, human and material (60.4%), with a reproduction rate of (54.7±37.7 kg) per resources are greatly lacking, which includes availability of growth cycle. The main opportunities in aquaculture in trained aquaculture managers (FAO, 2005b). Successive South Kivu are water availability (13.5% in Kabare, Prodepaak country reports (2008-2013) indicate that the 31.1% in the Ruzizi plain, and 15.3% in Walungu), the aquaculture sub-sector in the DR. Congo is currently presence of a fish market, and availability of land dominated with small-scale farming, which is mainly suitable for aquaculture (27.1% in Kabare, 10.9% in based on traditional practices, rudimentary management the plain, and 15.3% in Walungu). On the other hand, framework, and lack of improved species among others the main constraints identified are lack of quality fry (Junca, 2009). Small-scale farming, whose production (75.5% in Kabare) and the high cost of labour (60.9% remains insignificant despite the high demand for fish, is in the Ruzizi plain and 60.9% in Walungu). particularly predominant in all the provinces, particularly South Kivu (Coche et al., 2005). Keywords:- Fish Farming; Constraints; Sustainable Fish Farming; South Kivu. The observed slow growth of fish farming in DR. Congo, specifically in the South Kivu province is attributed I. INTRODUCTION to among other factors, low use of quality seeds, limited knowledge of best farming and aquaculture practices, Food demand is and will continue to be among the problems related to fish feeding practices, diseases, poor highest around the world and particularly in sub-Saharan extension services and technology dissemination Africa, amidst high growth of agricultural population, mechanisms, and unfavourable political environment. On which is leading to a decline in land sizes per producer the other hand, the benefits and the leading role fish (FAO, 2006). This trend is aggravated by climatic farming could play in strengthening food security of the disturbances that lead to the deterioration of production populations in South Kivu, particularly in rural areas and potentials of the available land (APDRA, 2015). There is post-conflict zones, have received little research interest. In therefore an urgent need of developing efficient systems. At 2000, the report of the Provincial Inspection of Agriculture, the global level, Aquaculture is very heterogeneous Fisheries, and Livestock (IPAPEL) by its National (Campeas, 2008) of developing efficient sustainable Aquaculture Service indicated a decrease of a quarter of solutions to food security in sub-Saharan Africa. fish production in South Kivu. However, the causes for this Aquaculture production in sub-Saharan Africa is potential trend remain unclear. This study therefore aims at renewing IJISRT19DEC294 www.ijisrt.com 631 Volume 4, Issue 12, December – 2019 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology ISSN No:-2456-2165 the information available on peasant fish farming in South million inhabitants, the majority of whom are farmers. This Kivu in the DR Congo, revising fish production policies province has an abundant hydrographs that are favourable and proposed strategic orientations for a harmonious and for fish farming. The main water systems are rivers, useful development in improving fish farming sector in the marshes, and perimeters irrigable by rivers. However, it DR Congo, especially South Kivu. should be noted that the main rivers are two mountain lakes: Lake Kivu at an altitude of 1,470 m and Lake II. METHODOLOGY Tanganyika at an altitude of 773 m, which are connected by the Ruzizi River. The climate is tropical of the AW3 type A. Presentation of the Study Area according to Koppen's classification with temperatures This study was conducted in the territories of Kabare, ranging from 17°C to 20°C and an annual rainfall of Walungu, and the Ruzizi Plain in South Kivu in the eastern between 1300 mm and 1800 mm. In contrast, the Ruzizi part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The South Kivu plain has a semi-arid climate with an average rainfall of province is located at an altitude of 1600 m 2°28' 21'' from 800 to 950mm and 1,000 to 1200mm in the mountainous the south latitude and 28° 12' 25'' from Longitude East. It part of the Ruzizi plain and an average annual daily covers 65,070 km² with an estimated population of 5 temperature ranging from 26 to 28°C (Kasamira 2007). Fig 1:- Location of the Study Area  Data Collection and Sampling the study area. The stratified random sampling method was Before starting this study, a bibliographical analysis used to survey 300 fish farmers. The different strata were and synthesis of the work on fish farming which were formed according to the size of the fish farmers in the carried out in South Kivu in the DR Congo were made territory of Walungu, Kabare, and the Ruzizi plain. This based on the documents collected during the documentary survey was also supplemented by additional information we research phase of this study. This was followed by a obtained through interviews and open-ended interviews preliminary field survey of fish farmers in the study area, with the heads of local development associations, NGOs, which was conducted to collect preliminary data and to and public institutions involved in fish farming. 2.1.2. identify the study area. After this stage, we carried out a Statistical Analysis and Data Processing survey itself using a questionnaire with questions related to the socio-economic characteristics of the fish farmers, the The information collected from fish farmers was first fish farming systems practiced, the constraints faced by fish encoded in a matrix in Excel software before being farmers and the opportunities available to fish farmers in analyzed by R console 3.5.2 software. Qualitative data were IJISRT19DEC294 www.ijisrt.com 632 Volume 4, Issue 12, December – 2019 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology ISSN No:-2456-2165 subjected to the chi-square test while quantitative data were represented by only 8 percent. The results show further that subjected to the analysis of variance analysis at P≤..05 and fish farmers belonged to the age group of between 45-50 the separation of the means were done by the Duncan LSD years. test based on the smallest significant difference (LSD at P≤05). Majority of the fish farmers (36.5%) had not obtained any formal education. This is followed by those who III. RESULTS obtained primary education (35.9%), secondary (20.6%), and university education (7%), whose proportion is A. Socio-Economic Characteristics of Fish Farmers in insignificant. South-Kivu This section looks at demographic, social, economic As for marital status the results show that 93,6% characteristics of fish farmers in South-Kivu. Demographic percent of the respondents are married, 4.4% are single, and characteristics involved gender of the fish farmers, age, 1.6% are widows or widowers. The results show further education level, and marital status. that majority (88.1%) of married fish farmers are engaged in fish farmers. This finding implies that fish farming is an  Demographic Characteristics activity of married people as opposed to singles. Being As for gender, our study results show that fish farming married could be a driver that compels married couple to is an activity practiced more by men than is by women have a stable income of meeting family obligations. Table 1 (Table1). Indeed men constitute 91.9 percent of fish presents the status of fish farmers and the educational level farmers in the study area as oppose to women that is of fish farmers in different territories. Kabare Ruzizi plain Walungu Female (%) Gender of the fish 9.7 5.0 9.4 χ2=2.22, p=0.330 farmer Male (%) 90.3 95.0 90.6 Age of fish farmers (years) 44±12 44±16 48±15 F=2.01, p=0.135 Education level of the No formal education (%) fish farmer 34.2 33.6 44.7 Primary (%) 31.6 41.2 36.5 χ2=9.13, p=0.166 Secondary (%) 25.8 19.3 12.9 University (%) 8.4 5.9 5.9 Marital status of the Single (%) 3.9 5.9 3.5% fish farmer Divorced (%) - - 1.2 χ2=4.26, p=0.641 Married (%) 94.2 92.4 94.1 Widowed (ve) (%) 1.9 1.7 1.2 Table 1:- Status of Fish Farmers and Educational Level of Fish Farmers in South Kivu (n=305).  Social Characteristics of Fish Farmers in South Kivu followed by the Ruzizi plain (22.7%), and lastly Walungu The farmers’ participation in training is envisaged to (8.2%) (p˂0.001). have a positive influence any economic activity farmers are engaged in. It also enables the beneficiaries to acquire As for membership to farmers’ association, the knowledge and skills on the management of their farms. In majority (93.9%) of fish farmers do not belong to any this respect, the results indicate that the majority (65%) of associations. The territories where fish farmers belong to fish farmers never had any training on fish farming (Table farmers association include Kabare (11%), followed by 2). Only a small proportion (39%) received training in fish Ruzizi plain (3.4%) and lastly Walungu (1.2%). In our farming. However, it should be noted that access to training study, the survey results showed that most fish farmers in on new aquaculture techniques is highly dependent on the South Kivu have an average experience of 13 years in the environment and membership of a development association aquaculture sector. However, experience in the aquaculture (Table 2) at p˂0.001. For example, in Kabare majority sector is not influencing factor in successful fish farming in (68.4%) of fish famers received training in fish farming the study area (p=0.458) The results relating to the level of supervision of fish farmers are presented in Table 2. IJISRT19DEC294 www.ijisrt.com 633 Volume 4, Issue 12, December – 2019 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology ISSN No:-2456-2165 Kabare Plaine de la Ruzizi Walungu χ2=103.39, Participation in training on fish farming 68.4% 22.7% 8.2% p˂0.001 Group 11.0% 3.4% 1.2% Membership to fish χ2=11.52, farming group 89.0% 96.6% 98.8% p=0.003 Individual F=0.78 Experience in Aquaculture (years) 12±9 14±7 13±11 p=0.458 χ2=48.73, Access to loan 9.7% 14.3% 15.3% p˂0.001 Table 2:- Level of Supervision of Fish Farmers and Main Activities of Fish Farmers in South Kivu Plaine de la Kabare Walungu Ruzizi Main activity of Artist (%) 1,9 - 2,4 the fish farmer Livestock (%) 2,6 - 2,4 Salaried employment 36,8 9,2 10,6 Crop production (%) 2 54,2 81,5 76,5 χ =48.73, p˂0.001 Small business (%) 1,3 1,7 3,5 Fish farming (%) 1,9 3,4 1,2 Technician (%) 1,3 4,2 3,5 Secondary Artist (%) - 0,8 3,5 occupation of the None (%) 1,3 5,0 1,2 fish farmer Livestock (%) 9,0 21,8 31,8 Salaried employment (%) - - 1,2 χ2=54.22, Crop production (%) p˂0.001 12,9 5,0 11,8 Small business (%) 2,6 9,2 11,8 Fish farming (%) 74,2 58,0 38,8 Table 3:- Main Activities of the Respondent Fish Farmers in South Kivu (n=305) After looking at the level of training and the level of manpower respectively comprise family labour, which is supervision of fish farmers through membership in a less and less reliable as more and more young people development association, we focused on the respondents' continue with schooling and some get into temporary or economic activities, which were divided into main and permanent emigration. In Kabare, 82.6 percent of the secondary activities. However, it should be noted that workforce comprises hired labour force. However, 5 agriculture is the main economic activity, employing percent are organized around community aquaculture to majority (68.5%) of fish farmers surveyed. This is followed ensure security or an increase of monetary income to enable by nonfarm employment employing (21.4%), followed by farmers to meet certain investments or family needs. fish farming, handcraft, and DIY. In South Kivu, only 2.2 Aquaculture in South Kivu has been facing many problems percent of the respondents are involved in fish farming, over the last few decades. These include deterioration of after crop production, which is carried out by 68.5 percent the means of production (impoverishment of the soil, of the respondents. Therefore, fish farming is considered as obsolete fish farming equipment, low use of inputs, food of secondary after crop production in terms of economic dubious quality or of poor quality, and the like), irregular importance. rainfall, all of which resulting in low fish productivity and a growing lack of interest in aquaculture among young  Economic Characteristics of Fish Farmers in South people. Kivu Access to fish credit seems limited and almost non- Table 4 presents the economic characteristics of fish existent in South Kivu (p=0.387). Aquaculture in South ponds in South Kivu, including access to fish credit and the Kivu uses different types of labour (p˂0.001). In Walungu type of labour used in fish farm (n=305). and in the Ruzizi Plain 88.2 and 75.6 percent of the IJISRT19DEC294 www.ijisrt.com 634 Volume 4, Issue 12, December – 2019 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology ISSN No:-2456-2165 Kabare Plaine de la Ruzizi Walungu Wage labour force χ2=51.79, 82.6% 63.0% 36.5% Type of labour used p˂0.001 Family labour force χ2=27.24, 57.4% 75.6% 88.2% p˂0.001 Community-based 3.2% 7.6% 4.7% χ2=2.68, p=0.262 Low 15,6% 3,4% 29,8% Assessment of Average 14,8% 28,1% 45,2% χ2=78.92, profitability High 24,4% 30,1% 16,3% p˂0.001 Very high 45,2% 38,4% 8,7% Table 4:- Economic Characteristics of Fishponds in South Kivu/DR. Congo B. Characteristics of Fish Ponds in South Kivu fact that households do not associate food and/or cash crops Two fish species namely clariasspp and Tilapia spp and marketing of the species. are reared in the ponds in South Kivu. These results are in line with those obtained by Mbouombouo (2007) in Majority of fish farmers do not have knowledge on the Santchou. However, Tilapia spp. is the highest species but age of fishponds and this trend varies from area to area this depends on the area (p˂0.001). (p˂0.001). Lack of knowledge of the age of their ponds is more severe among fish farmers in the Ruzizi plain, as The availability and dietary requirements of fish opposed to fish farmers in Walungu and Kabare territories. species and land fertility are some of the factors that The ponds in South Kivu are on average 13 years old, with determine what type of species to be farmed by farmers. varying sizes (p˂0.001. . The average surface area of Other factors include adaptive capacity of each species to fishponds is 358.7±230.4 m2. the environmental conditions, as some of the fish species are increasingly sensitive to climatic hazards. As for the number of man-days, the results show variation according to zones (p=0.051). Fish farmers in the Indeed, farmers cultivate fish either in association or Ruzizi Plain use more man-hours than do fish farmers in in monoculture depending on the area of production Walungu and Kabare. This would be attributed to (p˂0.001). In monoculture, only Tilapia is cultivated, availability of manpower as well as economic resources whereas in association Catfish is often cultivated with among fish farmers. The quantity of fish produced per Tilapia. Cultivation in association is mainly practised in the harvest varies from one area to another (p˂0.001). Fish Ruzizi Plain (29.2%), followed by Walungu (11%), and farmers in Kabare produce more fish than do fish farmers lastly in Kabare (5.9%). This trend can be attributed to the in the Ruzizi plain and Walungu. Plaine de la Kabare Walungu Ruzizi Catfish-Tilapia 5,9% 29,2% 11,0% Fish species χ2=34.97, p˂0.001 Tilapia 94,1% 70,8% 89,0% Inconnu 49,0% 74,8% 61,2% χ2=18.71, p˂0.001 Ponds Age (Years) Connu 13±9 16±6 13±8 F=1.60, p=0.205 Ponds size (m2) 335,5±253,8 489,8±214,4 132,3±98,1 F=22.28, p˂0.001 Number of labour 4±3b 6±5a 5±5ab F=1.26, p=0.051 Dam 16,1% 11,5 16,2% F=2.62, Type of pond Derivation 83,9% 88,5% 83,8% p=0.269 None 0,6% 0,4% 2,1% Dung 5,5% 4,6% 3,1% Waste and Peelings 3,2% 2,8% 3,1% Dregs 5,5% 7,0% 2,8% Elements used in Leaves, Herbs and 42,4% 31,0% 54,4% the feeding of Fruits χ2=52.45, p˂0.001 poisons Slaughterhouse residues, Ash, 4,9% 3,5% 0,3% Wood stain, Bran, Oilcake and Flour Harvest residues 28,5% 35,9% 25,4% Household waste 9,4% 14,8% 8,7% Fish harvested last season (Kg) 80±43,5a 56,3±31,8ab 31,3±22,3 F=39.43, p˂0.001 Table 5:- Technical characteristics of Fish Ponds in South Kivu/DR. Congo IJISRT19DEC294 www.ijisrt.com 635 Volume 4, Issue 12, December – 2019 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology ISSN No:-2456-2165 South Kivu's fishponds are moderately appreciated for their productivity, but there is a significant difference between the different areas (p˂0.001). Table 6 presents fish farmers' assessment on the productivity of fishponds in South Kivu (n=305). Kabare Plain de la Ruzizi Walungu Extremely poor 15.0% 10.7% 16.7% Poor 29.9% 21.4% 22.6% χ2=18.61, p˂0.001 Moderately good 29.9% 36.6% 31.0% Good 26.2% 30.4% 29.8% Table 6:- Farmers' Perception of Fishpond Productivity C. Purposes for Fish Production It can be seen that in South Kivu, fish farming is mainly carried out for home consumption to meet the demand of animal protein in household, but the nature of consumption varies from one area or territory to another. Apart from home-consumption, fish is produced for sale to meet financial needs of the household such as paying for school fees for children and meeting expenses for clothing and other basic needs. Table 8 shows the average annual income of fish farmers in South Kivu. Kabare Plain de la Ruzizi Walungu Total Own consumption 24.4% 11.1% 43.3% 24.4% Average Known income 3164.4±2255.9a 2573.6±1688.9ab 1889.3±1636.5b 2641.9±2240.8 Table 7:- Average Income from Fish Farming in South Kivu/DR.Congo Perception of the constraints related to fish production in the Eastern DR Congo in the South Kivu Province. Kabare Walungu Plaine Ruzizi Constraints Sever Rank Sever Rank Sever Rank Fish production constraints Lack of quality seed 75.5% I 48.1% IV 65.9% III Lack of quality fish feed 52.2% II 42.6% V 52.7% VI Lack of technical knowledge 51.7% III 57.3% II 61.2% IV Lack of equipment 42.9% IV 49.8% III 68.4% II Absence of extension service 38.3% V Lack of capital 30.4% VI High labour costs 60.9% I 77.7% I The presence of pests (snakes, birds, toads) 40.1% VI 46.9% VII Poor access and security of land 35.7% VII Difficulties related to transportation 56.2% V Table 8:- Constraints Related to Fish Production in Eastern DR. Congo The cost of labour is among the leading constraints second and third constraints affecting production in Kabare facing fish production. This is followed by lack of quality and Walungu respectively. Farm tools (machetes, hoes, animal feed, which is the second most important constraint rakes, wheelbarrows, and the like) are not available and this of fish production in South Kivu; and it is the third and constitutes the fourth major constraint in Kabare (gravity fourth constraints related to fish production in Kabare and in 42.9%), third in Walungu (gravity 49.8%), and second the Ruzizi plain respectively. Specifically, good quality serious constraint in the Ruzizi Plain (gravity 68.4%). Lack animal feeds are not available in time; this is the second of fish extension services (severity 38.3%) and lack of most serious constraint in Kabare (gravity 52.2%). In sufficient capital for fish farming activity (severity 30.4%) addition, lack of technical knowledge is a major constraint were reported as constraints only in Kabare; and were to fish production in the South Kivu and in the DRC ranked as fifth and sixth serious constraint respectively. generally. Lack of technical knowhow is classified as the IJISRT19DEC294 www.ijisrt.com 636 Volume 4, Issue 12, December – 2019 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology ISSN No:-2456-2165 D. Fish Farming Opportunities in South Kivu Kabare Ruzizi plains Walungu Access to fish ponds for fish farming 11,6% 13,4% 16,5% χ2=24.94, Capacity for intensification and 27,1% 10,9% 15,3% p=0.005 extension of fish farming Availability of water (water bodies) 13,5% 31,1% 15,3% suitable for aquaculture Availability of suitable areas for fish 18,1% 16,0% 16,5% farming Diversity of species suitable for 15,5% 12,6% 15,3% aquaculture farming Presence of fish markets and fish inputs 14,2% 16,0% 21,2% Table 9:- Constraints related to fish production in eastern DR. Congo However, the fish farming in South Kivu provides the case in our study area (Hirigoyen et al. 1997, FAO, many livelihood opportunities (p=0.005): its 1993). In trying to link the productivity of fishpond by multifunctionality in economic, social, and environmental gender within the household and cultural aspects in the terms is still little known (insufficient quantified community, it should also be noted that fish farming, like indicators). Therefore, full potential of fish farming in any activity when it is profitable, tends to be taken over by South Kivu has not been fully exploited. These potentials men at the expense of women. It therefore seems that in our include favourable conditions for intensifying and study area, fish farming being a profitable enterprise, is expanding fish farming, linked to the land pressure, multi- managed by men. These appropriate its benefits instead of activity of fish farmers, the density of fish farming services, women who constitute supplementary workforce to men. accessibility of fishponds for fish farming, and finally the Similar results were reported by Mirindi (2018) in irrigated spatial concentration of fish and agricultural activities that fish farms in the Ruzizi plain. promote complementarities. The results obtained from our study in relation to age The presence of fish markets and fish inputs reduces and education level are in line with the results of studies transport costs as opposed to lack of fish markets as is the conducted by FAO (1993) in Madagascar, which showed case in rural areas. Indeed, the former requires less energy that the average age of fish farmers varied from 40 to 50 and little time to transport the products, especially fish years. We believe that the high proportion of adults in fish products to the consumers (transport, storage).. This farming as opposed to young people is attributed to the improved energy productivity of fish farming in the reason that at this age, people have huge responsibilities of marketing of the products leading to a reduction in taking care of the household and ensuring its survival. environmental pollution linked to fossil energy consumption. Other considerations should such as the Aquaculture technology requires particular technical reduction in post-harvest losses due to the proximity of knowledge in its application, the level of education of fish production areas or a better quality of the products in terms farmers is generally recognized as a criterion favouring of freshness should also be taken into account. aquaculture innovation (Abdulai and Huffa, 2005; Barham et al., 2004; Foltz and Chang, 2002; Sauer and Zilberman, IV. DISCUSSION 2009). In our study, majority of fish farmers have a low level of education. We believe that this could be a barrier A. Socio-economic Characteristics of Fish Farmers in against the adoption of new technologies. This therefore South Kivu calls for developers and researchers into making sufficient Women are less interested or responsible for efforts in training and awareness raising among fish managing a fishpond within the household. Low farmers. representation of women as opposed to men in fish farming and in pond management is attributed to the reason that The wide dispersion of accessibility of fish farming pond maintenance and development work requires a lot of training can be explained in part by the presence of effort. Women do not have easy access to credit or land as organizations working in the aquaculture sector in the is the case with men to be able to acquire and maintain a various study areas on the one hand and on the other hand, fishpond. These results are consistent with the results the interest, long experience of farmers in fish farming, and observed by Dossou (2008) in Benin. Another study the dynamism of development associations (Ntsama and conducted in the forest zone in Cameroon also revealed that Kamgnia, 2008). Observations made in the field show, for only five percent of fishponds were owned by women; and example, that in Kabare there are more organizations that the few women who owned fishponds were assisted by working in aquaculture than there are in the Ruzizi Plain their husbands in the management and maintenance, as is and Walungu. It should also be noted that the centre for IJISRT19DEC294 www.ijisrt.com 637 Volume 4, Issue 12, December – 2019 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology ISSN No:-2456-2165 breeding and research and the introduction of fish farming and security. In addition, since the study area is a was set up in Nyakabere in Kabare by MrVanot during the mountainous, it is in the interest of the inhabitants to take colonial times. This motivated the local population in the advantage of this opportunity to engage in diverse study area into developing interest in fish farming leading economic activities, this is why crop production is the main to improving their food security. Membership to farmers’ activity of fish farmers. association also influences the level of adoption of new aquaculture practices in the study area. Since, members of C. Economic Characteristics of Fish Farmers in South the associations are the primary beneficiaries to things such Kivu as training or aquaculture extension services. The study results indicated that there is a great variability of sizes of fishponds in study areas. Indeed, on Low membership to farmers’ associations average, ponds in the Ruzizi plain are very larger than the demonstrates further as to why fish farmers do not have ponds in Kabare and Walungu. Their common point is their access to training from state services and organizations, reduced surfaces of between 128.3m2 and 589.1m2... This which could influence the success of fish farming as would be due to lack of manpower because fish farming is suggested by Alpha and Castellanet (2007). As observed essentially a family business. These results are consistent by Gedikoglu (2013), membership to cooperation or with the results obtained by other researcher (see for association among fish farmers makes it easy for them to example, Chikou, 2006;, FAO, 1993;, Rossou, 2008;, Toko acquire information and experience that reduces uncertainty et al., 2011). According to Dossou (2008), the surface area and thus allows fish farmers to perceive innovation and the of ponds depends on the means available to farmers; rich risks involved in a more objective way (Parcell and people or farmer fishing groups have the prerogative of Gedikoglu (2013). Experience and/or seniority in the field keeping large surface areas of ponds. According to Satia are essential and important factor successful fish farming. (1989 cited by Lazard et al.,(1991), small fish farms are widely practised and account for more than 95 percent of B. Farmers' Experience the ponds in operation in tropical Africa. As observed by Fish farming has been in existence since colonial Hauber et al (2011), the predominance of small pond areas times. However, with the departure of Belgian, Chinese and among a large number of stakeholders reflects an American cooperation support following the many wars in acceptance of the practice among the local population. Fish the East of the country, many fish farmers abandoned fish production remains less and less appreciated due to the farming. However, with the resumption of cooperation and multiple constraints recorded in fish farming. As FAO NGOs, fish farming has begun to resume gradually. Lack of (2015) shows, in order to increase fish production and experience on the part of current fish farmers could have a consumption, governments in these countries should negative impact on production because, according to FAO commit themselves in developing aquaculture systems with (2015), the revival and further expansion of commercial the potential of becoming economically viable. This aquaculture development is limited by lack inexperience includes the construction of canals, recycling tanks, among fish farmers in the field. Other limiting factors nurseries, and forming of aquaculture/fish farming include lack of basic technical skills for the private sector associations and/or livestock farming. In addition, the workforce and insufficient extension services in terms of renaissance and expansion of aquaculture development are effective technical support, among others. Fish farming and limited by lack of a policy framework, lack of basic livestock farming in general strengthen household income technical skills for the private sector workforce, and and ensure that household survives and children go to insufficient information and equipment from extension school. The high proportion of farmers engaged in services on effective technical support. Others include poor agriculture in relation to other activities is explained by the seed and distribution mechanisms, insufficient fish feed due fact that agriculture is the main source of household income to, in part, lack of incentives for its production, limited and is a source of the main inputs used by farmers to feed access to land and information, inadequate support both fish and livestock. infrastructure and institutional arrangements. Indeed, crop production is an important source of D. Constraints Related to Fish Production in South Kivu inputs to aquaculture (food, fertilization, ploughing tools, Province etc.), and contributes to household food satisfaction through The results presented here are similar to those the home-consumption of fish. Aquaculture also allows the obtained by Inyang, (2007) in Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria. capitalization (hoarding) of the financial benefits of the Development of quality seeds and the establishment of family farm to be easily mobilized if necessary. These two fishponds would make it possible to create new ecological activities (crop production and fish farming) constitute the niches for fish (FAO, 2010a). To remedy this situation, main economic activities of the households, and these Edwards (2000) advocated for strong private sector activities supplement employment and trade. However, due involvement in the supply of quality seed with emphasis on to an increasingly precarious socio-economic environment, decentralized production. fish farming households have adopted new non-agricultural activities to sustain their livelihoods. As Anonymous (1996) argues, fish yield is largely determined by the level of diet. In addition, aquaculture This diversity of activities shows the need of securing feed is composed of many ingredients that are mixed in family income and of promoting financial independence varying proportions to complement each other to form a IJISRT19DEC294 www.ijisrt.com 638 Volume 4, Issue 12, December – 2019 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology ISSN No:-2456-2165 nutritionally complete compound diet. According to FAO (2010c), such feeds are manufactured in industrial feed grinding facilities and are distributed and sold using REFERENCES conventional market chains. These facilities should therefore be set up. 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