Zambia: Aquaculture training and follow-up loops for small-scale farmers in Luapula Province

Project background

The aquaculture training and follow-up loops project in Luapula Province, Zambia, aims to enhance the capabilities of small-scale farmers in sustainable aquaculture practices. This project is part of a broader initiative supported by several development agencies, including the EU, which is making significant investments in aquaculture in differnt regions. Building on the successes and methodologies developed in previous projects such as the GP Fish, this initiative aims to leverage established partnerships and proven approaches to improve food security and economic opportunities for local communities. The project is designed to address the growing need for sustainable aquatic food production while ensuring environmental protection and promoting gender equality.

Objectives

• Provide gender-sensitive capacity building to 1,000 small-scale fish farmers in Luapula Province, with 30% women participants
• Increase aquaculture production by 30% in the target region
• Enhance technical skills and business literacy among fish farmers
• Improve resilience and household food security through integrated agriculture-aquaculture systems
• Develop and deliver interactive training and coaching sessions
• Promote sustainable aquaculture practices and innovative methods
• Utilize digital platforms to extend knowledge transfer and support beyond direct beneficiaries
• Strengthen partnerships with local, regional, and international actors to ensure sustainability and scalability of project outcomes

Activities

• Conduct hands-on training sessions to enhance technical skills in sustainable aquaculture practices
• Develop and implement innovative coaching loops for continuous support and real-time problem-solving for farmers
• Build technical capacity of local partners, such as the Department of Fisheries (DoF), to ensure ongoing support and supervision
• Create and distribute training materials, including posters, graphics, videos, and practical tools, tailored to the needs of small-scale fish farmers
• Use digital tools, including radio shows, to extend knowledge sharing and support beyond immediate project beneficiaries
• Develop and broadcast weekly radio shows addressing seasonal and practical aquaculture topics derived from coaching sessions
• Conduct Training of Trainers (ToT)
• Implement a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system to measure training success, application of training content, and impact on fish production
• Collaborate with local government and traditional leaders to embed project impacts and communicate outcomes