The Effect of Extension Services on the Growth of Aquaculture in Kasempa District of North-Western Province, Zambia

A research study was conducted in the Kasempa district of the North-Western Province of Zambia to evaluate the effectiveness of aquaculture extension services and the degree to which policies and plans were being implemented regarding the growth of aquaculture. A sample of 55 aquaculture farmers was selected at random using simple random sampling in five areas within the district to measure the impact of extension services on rural residents' incomes and living standards. The study revealed that a lack of proper information for farmers could have a negative impact on the growth of the aquaculture sector. Inadequate advisory services could also lead to lower quality and quantity of aquaculture products. Aquaculture was being promoted in Zambia to provide high-income opportunities for poor rural residents and reduce the pressure on capture fisheries. Through extension services, 90% of the respondents had acquired technical skills such as fish farming methods, pond construction, fish health and nutrition, feeding and marketing, and accounting skills, which were used to ensure smooth operations and helped the farmers overcome various challenges they faced. Accordingly, 82% of the respondents indicated that their fish yield increased due to the increase in the number of their ponds. The results also showed that 65% of respondents improved their social well-being and earned enough incomes from aquaculture to meet various challenges, such as paying their children's school fees and buying roofing materials for their homes. Moreover, the extension service agencies’ performance in implementing policies and plans was rated as good. However, more than half of the respondents experienced a number of challenges that hindered further aquaculture growth, such as lack of start-up capital, clogged waterways, stunted fish growth, lack of fishing gear, attacks by piscivorous animals, etc. Overall, the study found that 60% of respondents could not raise market-size fish (>250g) due to high feed costs, while 40% of respondents were able to raise fish close to market size because they had more knowledge and were interested in that area.