Sustainable Fish Farming Program

Nkandason

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Title: Sustainable Fish Farming Program

Description of my Solution

I will develop and implement new gender-responsive knowledge and technology in improved breeds, fish health, aqua-feeds and management practices, enabling both women and men farmers to boost the productivity of farmed fish, with benefits to 1000 (at the 1st year) and 10,000 (at the 5th year) producer households. In combination with gender inclusive and women-targeted value chain innovations, this has significant potential to directly benefit livelihoods from the consumption, processing and sale of farmed fish, assisting 1000 local fish entrepreneurs, at least 60% women, to exit poverty and directly engage in modern fish culture entrepreneurship by 2022. Genetic gains of 7%–10% growth per generation have been maintained for over two decades in World Fish tilapia programs (Gjedrem et al. 2012; Khaw 2015), with high adoption rates in several poor countries (ADB 2005). I anticipate further genetic gains in growth rates of 5%–10% per generation over the next decade. By 2022, I aim to sustainably double the production of safe, nutritious farmed fish in climate-resilient production systems in my selected program area (Rukwa, Songwe and Katavi regions) in southern highlands of Tanzania.

I am confident the level of contributions that the program will make to yield increases in these regions and the return on investment in aquaculture entrepreneurship will be as high, or higher than, any other food sector. In the agriculture sector, my innovations for more effective and inclusive nature will catalyze improved fisheries and enhance equity and diversity of livelihood opportunities for fisheries-dependent women, men and youth, with benefits to an additional 10,000 producer households and assisting a further 1000 local fish entrepreneurs, at least 60%, women to exit poverty starting in 2022. I will train these 1000 entrepreneurs on entrepreneurship skills, modern aquaculture, and post-harvest management of fish and as well, I will initiate a revolving credit fund where a basket fund will be initiated during the first 12 months of the program implementation, the 1000 entrepreneurs will be divided into 40 groups from all regions. The groups will be provided with loan and will be requires to give back 25% of their produces to the basket for the first four (4) years. The collected revenues will be reimbursed to other new beneficiaries for reinvestment. This will create a base for the program sustainability and as well program scale up and out. However the groups will be registered and connected to financial institutions for loan collection and financial sustainability.

Description of how technology is integral to my Solution
This innovation will involve fish farming using fish tanks. Oxygen is definitely a very important thing that needs to be present in any fish tank. The bottom line is that just like you and I, fish cannot survive if there is no oxygen in the water. Low oxygen levels can cause health issues and can be very deadly to your fish. In order to mitigate this challenge, my innovation will be using a good air pump technology to add enough oxygen onto water.

I will also be using cooler water to regulate water temperate; this will help maintain good fish growth. Also if you have too many fish, they produce a lot of waste, and the ammonia and nitrites which the waste releases and cause a depleted oxygen level. It makes the water unable to hold as much oxygen. At the same time, having too much algae in the water also decreases the oxygen carrying capacity of the water, thus I will be using an algae glass cleaner to clean algae.

I will also use re-circulating system technology in all fish tanks, re-circulating systems will be built in these tanks, closed off from the rest of the environment, and have little to no impact on local water. In these closed loop systems, fish waste and dirty water are filtered and return to the fish as clean water. Any pollution or chemicals are prevented from entering the environment. I will also use rice waste to make fish food .I will also use the waste from recirculation which contains ammonia to make biogas.

Description on how manufacturing processes are integral to my Solution
Under this innovation manufacturing processes will be integral through fish processing. Fish from catching has an important role in international fisheries as well as in developing countries like Tanzania. Therefore to maintain good quality in fish raw material is necessary. This innovation will focus on how to handle and preserve the fish. Fish processing will be subdivided into fish handling, which is preliminary processing of raw fish, and the manufacture of fish products. Another natural subdivision is into primary processing involved in the filleting and freezing of fresh fish for onward distribution to fresh fish retail, international market, and catering outlets, and the secondary processing that will produce chilled, frozen and canned products for the retail and catering trades. Ancient methods of preserving fish included drying, salting, pickling and smoking will be applied at the local market. All of these techniques are still used today but the more modern techniques of freezing and canning have taken on a large importance and will at large be applied.

The fishery industry is subjected to challenges of safety and quality assurance due to differences in food standards within and between countries. My approach of fish processing will give an insight into the shortcomings of the industry. The legal framework, competent authority and the quality control system are in place. I will focus on the conceptual change traditional quality assurance system to modern food safety and quality assurance methods.

What are my goals within the next year and within the next five years?

Program goals
1. Enabled sustainable increases in, and gender- and socially equitable livelihood returns from, aquaculture production without creating adverse socio-economic or environmental impacts.

2. Secured and enhance the contribution of fish entrepreneurship to gender-equitable poverty reduction and food security in Tanzania.

Program Country
Tanzania

Countries I will be operating in the future
Zambia, Burundi, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo

M business model
Sustainable fish farming program is the expected start up business that aims at commercial fish farming; producing and marketing high quality fish products from tanks. This program will be located in Rukwa, Songwe and Katavi regions, where by fish farming will be carried out and the produced fish will be processed, packed and marketed locally and internationally. This is the enthusiasm behind establishing an innovative fish farming and processing unit in these regions region.

This program will start by November 2021 where with 40 commercial fish tanks (for the start) and will be located in a total area of less than 10Mx10M each. Each fish tank is expected to produce 200 of Nile tilapia and Oreochromis aureus trapia species with 1 kg per year; this makes a total of 8,000 fish or 8,000 kg of fish. And will be sold at TZS 48,000,000/= (US$ 17,266) at the current market minimum price of TZS 6,000 (US$ 2.61) per kg.

A Computation indicated that a positive Net Present Value (NPV) of 96,000,000 TZS (after 2 years) and an internal rate of return of 227.2%. A worst-case scenario was developed with the assumption of 10% lower sales revenues, gave an IRR of 213% and the NPV of 86,400,000 TZS. A best-case scenario based on 10% higher sales provided an IRR of 244% and the NPV of 105,600,000 TZS. Thus, the program is a viable business and should be undertaken.

Why am I the best-placed to deliver this solution?
I am a person with good education background which are relating with the management of the solution especially in business development, food security, marketing, environmental sustainability, program management, financial management and business modeling, nutrition security. I have more than 10 years of experience in managing community based programs working with NGOs. I have also developed many social economic solutions and now owning a social entrepreneurial organization called FOSACCO (Food Security and Climate Change Organization) which is at the very startup level.

What is my path to financial sustainability?
My Business model and financing mechanism guarantees for sustainability, I have planned that, after winning this challenge, it will act as a seed-fund, enough to start this business, but after the first two years of production and sells, I will connect with financial institutions for acquiring loan where necessary, I have also planned to list the business to the Dar es saalam stock exchange market for more investors to buy-in the business. A revolving credit fund will be established. The viability of the business itself guarantees for sustainable business due to the current financial flow. The business pays itself as it will be operated in business wise and the money collected from fish sells and revolving fund will be reinvested annually. Thus, this reinvestment will guarantee the program scale up and out.

Current asset
I have only raised fund which I have spent to purchase initial land in Rukwa region, however the business is yet to start sells.​
 
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