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

Project background

The BMZ-financed and GIZ-led Global programme (GP) ‘Sustainable Aquatic Foods’ which aims to utilise the potential of sustainable aquatic foods to transform agriculture and food systems. This 2.5-year country package in Zambia was launched by GIZ in May 2025 and will complete in October 2028. In this project, GIZ is cooperating with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries (MoFL) as political partner, with specific collaboration foreseen with the Department of Fisheries (DoF) in implementation. The GP builds on successful approaches used under the previous GP ‘Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (FISH)’ (2018-2024) and will utilise similar measures, innovations, and training methodologies to strengthen small-scale producers in aquaculture and to extend the benefits to additional households of aquatic value chains in Zambia. The specific target group comprises small-scale, rural aquaculture producers, consumers of aquatic food products and experts and managers from governmental and non-governmental partners as well as intermediaries in the aquaculture sector (meso and macro levels).

The GP has three expected output indicators: 

1. To increase the availability of sustainable aquatic food in local markets and for rural consumers (i.e., increase in production that is accessible to consumers is increased by 15,000 kg/year);
2. To create new opportunities for actors and groups of actors to strengthen their economic and social position in the sector (regional approaches to good governance in fisheries and aquaculture implemented by political partners); and
3. To enable political partners to better protect the natural resources on which small-scale producers of aquatic food depend (i.e., project partners contribute 5 project findings to international (political) forums on the transformation of agricultural and food systems).

Objectives

In April 2025, GIZ awarded the field implementation of the project (i.e., training and follow-up coaching loops with fish farmers) to COFAD. As such, COFAD is responsible for contributing towards the Module objective, and two output indicators:

• Module – Production increase for 1,000 small-scale fish farmers, from 40,000 to 55,000 kg/year of aquatic foods
• Output 1.1 – 1,000 small-scale fish farmers (30% women) increase their (fish) production by 30% (average)
• Output 2.3 – 1 digital platform (radio shows) provide solutions learned by the project’s activities and promotes sustainable aquaculture (solutions) to listeners

To attain these targets, COFAD will employ a systematic, gender-sensitive ‘Training and Extension Approach’ across four sequential work packages (WP) and six target districts. A baseline evaluation (WP1) will finalise project indicators and assess the status of the sector through various analyses. Following this, COFAD will develop capacity building concepts (i.e., training and coaching), training materials and M&E plans/ tools to be used in delivery, leading to a Training of trainers (ToT) for the Cofad team and partner extensionists (WP2). WP3 will involve training delivery to 1,000 fish farmers throughout Luapula Province, with ongoing M&E to measure performance. WP4 will include a further ToT, to embed the coaching concept, followed by coaching of farmers trained in WP3, supplemented by radio broadcasts.

It is anticipated that hands-on practical training and follow-up coaching loops to encourage and motivate farmers, differently from previously implemented projects, and thus convincing farmers to rehabilitate existing ponds, build new ponds and re-engage in fish production as an income earner, in addition to their efforts in crop and livestock production, providing an integrated farms concept. 

Activities

WP 1 (Baseline evaluation)

• Develop concept and plan for baseline evaluation
• Conduct baseline (sectorial assessment, CGA & VCA for aquaculture), for project M&E and to identify pertinent needs of sector/ actors
• Baseline results presentation: Report and PowerPoint presentation

WP 2 (Training Concept, material development & ToT)

• Assess existing training materials (manuals & tools) and refine/ update to finalise updated version: Pond construction/management; Breeding and hatchery practices including fingerling production of tilapia; Grow-out pond operation for tilapia; Fish feed production on farm-level; Biosecurity and fish health for tilapia; Administration and planning of pond-farming activities, business approach (record keeping); and Nutrition and food security; Harvest/ marketing of fish products; Fish processing (artisanal smoking/ drying) using common/ innovative facilities
• Develop comprehensive suite of tools & materials to utilise in training (didactic sheets & other training materials e.g., posters, fliers, graphics etc.)
• Establish system for technical capacity building (training & coaching loop concepts, training schedules & M&E plans)
• Conduct training of trainers (ToT) for trainers (including government extensionists) who will deliver training measures to farmers

WP3 (Training of small-holder fish producers)

• Conduct training for 1,000 fish farmers across six districts according to training schedule
• Conduct ongoing M&E to assess training success and ensure compliance with indicators
• Complete monthly training progress reports to summarise training progress

WP4 (coaching of small-holder fish producers)

• Conduct training of trainers (ToT) for coaches (including government extensionists) who will deliver ongoing coaching to farmers
• Conduct coaching follow-up loops for 1,000 fish farmers across six districts
• Record weekly topic reports to be used in developing and delivering needs-focused radio shows that respond to needs identified in coaching loops in close cooperation with radio show producers