FISH FARMING PROMOTION PROGRAMME OF PAL IN EASTERN AFGHANISTAN

FISH FARMING PROMOTION PROGRAMME OF PAL IN EASTERN AFGHANISTAN

ABOUT PAL: The Project for Alternative Livelihoods in Eastern Afghanistan (PAL/PAL OUTREACH) is a 5-year project (2004 – 2008), funded by the European Union and partnered with the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD). The project works in the Provinces of Nangarhar, Laghman, and Kunar and is managed by GTZ International Services (GTZ IS).

DISCLAIMER: This article has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this article are the sole responsibility of the PAL and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

On demand of villagers and being prioritized during a participatory village- and district development process, initiated by PAL and in cooperation with other national projects and line agencies in particularly MRRD, PAL is promoting a number of income generating and livelihood projects. Recently PAL has received many requests to support farmers and Farmers Associations in rural areas of Nangarhar, Laghman and Kunar.

Regarding Fish Farming the PAL assistance is as follows:

• setting up fish farm associations
• on-site feasibility studies (including site selection, pond construction and management)
• training in fish rearing for food (including the whole process from fingerlings to harvesting)
• on site cross visits (monitoring for disease and pollution and checking that environmental conditions are correct)
• coaching of fish farmers associations including marketing aspects and identification of efficient local inputs

Initial fish farming trials conducted by PAL and other organizations indicated that small fish farms are a suitable income generation for farmers since it requires only a small portion of land and little financial resources. The know-how involved to start a fish farm is simple and without a great need of management advice. Profits from a single season provide sufficient income. A pond site and pond construction of 2,000 m² can produce an average annual gross income of 60,000-80,000 Afs but also much higher income was reported depending on interest and competence of the respective farmer.                                                   

Preconditions for a good management are that the beneficiaries own land and have permanent access to sufficient and clean water.                                                                                                   

Currently the demand in the market is higher than what is being produced locally as 5-9 tons of fish is imported from Peshawar every day depending on the season.

Besides, fish is of high value in the daily diet, since it contains a lot of protein that is often limited in the daily diet of Afghans particularly of children. Fish, especially oily fish, is rich in unsaturated fatty acids. Research has established e.g. a link between eating fish and a lowered risk of death from coronary heart disease.                                       

So far PAL has supported the establishment of 72 fish farms (eight (8) of it are for women only) in Qarghaye district of Laghman province and Behsood, Kama, Bati Kot, Mohmandara and Surkhrod districts of Nangarhar province, by providing funds for the construction of fish ponds which were requested by CDCs. Due to these activities fish is now available and accessible in such remote rural areas.

Lessons learned indicate that sustainable fish farming needs regular and organized attention that is why PAL is providing season long coaching for on-site training of interested fish farmers.