A case study on the experiences of innovative, small-scale fish farmers in Malawi.

Abstract The Innovative Fish Farmers Network Trust (IFFNT) comprising of 25 farmers was established as part of the Master Plan Study on Aquaculture Development in Malawi (ADiM) with funds from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2004. ADiM aimed at promoting aquaculture development by establishing model farmers through financial and technical support from JICA and the Department of Fisheries (DoF). Farmers attended training facilitated by Bunda College, University of Malawi, and farmer exchange and study tours to Zambia and Egypt. They also received small grants to implement pilot on-farm projects. Production increased from about 0.7 tons/ha/year in 2003, to over 2 tons/ha/year in 2005. Other farmers adopted the technologies. However, as ADiM phased out in 2006, IFFNT became dormant. Its linkages with DoF weakened. There was no proper phase out strategy. Both ADiM and DoF needed to facilitate IFFNT until it was properly established; a change that should be adopted in any future IFFNT facilitation.