Three communities managing the Amoron'i Onilahy protected area started fish farming

Posté le 18 juin 2024

The communities surrounding the Amoron'i Onilahy protected area live in difficult conditions.

Around 80% of the population live below the poverty line, with a daily income of less than 2 dollars. For the vast majority of the population, livelihood relies mainly on farming on small family plots. This source of income, already very low, is undermined by various external pressures, correlated with the effects of climate change.

Fish farming represents one of the many alternatives for sustainably supporting the livelihoods of these communities surrounding the Amoron'i Onilahy protected area. The initiative to promote this activity began last April with an assessment of potential rice-fish farming sites and the selection of pilot fish farmers. To date, 52 fish farmers have been identified with the support of the regional office of fisheries and blue economy (DRPEB) within 3 communities managing the Amoron'i Onilahy protected area, namely: Maroamalo, Ambiky and Ambohimahavelona, as well as 6 leading fish farmers, including 3 women and 3 men.

This process of identifying village fish farmers aims to i) to encourage the participation of beneficiaries in the implementation of sustainable fishing activities, and ii) to provide them with technical support for pond fish farming in line with recommended technical standards. Construction of the ponds is currently underway, and exchange visits to model sites will be conducted. In the long term, these village fish farmers will be able to pass on their skills to other interested members of the local communities.

Fish farming and rice-fish farming will revolutionize local agriculture by creating synergies between rice production and fish farming, significantly increasing agricultural yields while preserving the balance of ecosystems. These innovative initiatives represent tangible solutions to the challenges of food security and biodiversity conservation in the region.