Imani Development has extensive experience in aquaculture, including system feasibility, design and development in several African countries. Imani recognises aquaculture’s role in economic transformation and long-term, global, sustainable nutrition as some of the biggest opportunities in the 21st century, not least for low-income countries facing multiple resource pressures at both a national and community level.

 

Imani has gained experience through a wide range of projects, from community-level pond aquaculture projects in Malawi, through to national-level policy engagement in other countries. This enables the team to draw on a wide range of skills that can be tailored to meet the needs of specific project engagement.  

 

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Featured Projects:

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GIZ - Midline study: Aquaculture Value Chains for Higher Income and Food Security [AVCP Malawi] (2021)

Midline study which sought to update quantitative and qualitative figures which ICL collected at baseline, to gauge impact and progress against AVCP's goals for project implementation. As at baseline, the study sought to analyse how cross-cutting issues affect the target group (e.g. environment, nutrition and marginalized groups - youths, women, people living with HIV/AIDS) and how project intervention is impacting these groups. Imani carried out the midline assessment with 1,370 questionnaire respondents in 13 districts, in addition to consultations with programme personnel. The consultants reported findings in a stakeholder validation conference including actors from GIZ, funding partners, the Department of Fisheries and other Government officials. 

 

Pact Malawi (USAID) - Fisheries Integration of Society and Habitats Project (FISH): Aquaculture – Efficiency study (2018-19)

Study in which 9 semi-commercial fish farmers were mentored through a production cycle to identify and mitigate barriers that previously inhibited optimal productivity and profitability. The team worked with these collaborator farmers to implement efficiency measures and soft business skills. On average, the farms succeeded in increasing productivity from 1.2 to >4 T/ha/year, profitability from <MK70,000 to >MK120,000/pond/year, as well as reducing FCR from average 8.8:1 to 2.2:1. The core findings demonstrate that it is possible for farmers of this scale to produce market-sized fish in under 24-weeks and be profitable using commercial inputs. The study also involved compiling a report entitled “Guidelines for efficient commercial aquaculture in Malawi”, as well as presenting key findings to panel of expert stakeholders in a conference setting (>50 delegates in two separate stakeholder workshops and keynote presentations).

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GIZ - Baseline study: Aquaculture Value Chains for Higher Income and Food Security [AVCP Malawi] (2018)

Baseline study which sought to obtain quantitative and qualitative figures and additional information in selected project intervention areas, to determine the project’s indicators (i.e. baseline, outcome and output levels). The study also sought to analyse how cross-cutting issues will affect the target group and the project intervention (e.g. environment, nutrition and marginalized groups - youths, Women, people living with HIV/AIDS). Data collection involved interviews with fish farmers, supply chain actors and fish consumers, within the three project target districts. In total, the study involved >1,300 interviews and required cross-collaboration between multiple stakeholders within the sub-sector (e.g. respondents, Government and Project staff).

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GIZ - Program Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (2017) 

The Pre-Assessment for Aquaculture Site Selection in Malawi (GV Fish) (2017), funded by GIZ, included a concise review of available information and data sources regarding areas that exhibit optimal suitability for pond aquaculture throughout Malawi. The study utilised remote sensing data and developed maps using GIS, which highlighted the suitability of different areas against parameters associated with optimal conditions for aquaculture (i.e. FAO standards), this then combined with confirmed aquaculture activities. 

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DFID - The Commercial Feed and Fingerling Supply Chains Study [AgriTT] (2016)

The supply chain study, which was part of the AgriTT Malawi Component funded by DFID, sought to assess the current profitability of smallholder aquaculture in Malawi. A core focus of this feasibility study was to define how feed and seed supplies can be sustainably commercialized to fulfill the needs of smallholder to medium-scale fish farming enterprises. The study involved a thorough review of the historical literature, followed by in-depth stakeholder interviews, financial feasibility and specific case study analysis.

 

IDH - Sustainable Aquaculture at the Phata Cooperative [FIT Fund] (2016)

Sought to build on the success of the IFCAP project, supporting the Phata Sugarcane outgrowers cooperative in diversifying production to enhance food security and income generation. More specifically, this project strengthened the aquaculture component of the farm towards enhanced production (increasing from 0.8 T/Ha to 4.2 T/Ha per year). A core focus of this project was to train on-farm staff in enhanced management techniques, and developing a range of markets within close proximity to the scheme; furthermore, connecting the fish farm to local value chains, and building robust business relationships with the stakeholders involved.