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Productivity and profitability of small-scale aquaculture in Malawi

Author

Listed:
  • Munthali, Maggie G.
  • Chilora, Lemekezani
  • Wineman, Ayala
  • Nankwenya, Bonface
  • Chiwaula, Levison
  • Muyanga, Milu

Abstract

Small-scale aquaculture in Malawi contributes to nutrition and food security, and serves as a rural income diversification strategy. Nevertheless, its adoption is low. Drawing on a recent survey of 732 small-scale fish farms across the country, this study assesses the production, yield, profit, and profit per square metre of small-scale fish farms and explores their determinants using regression analysis. Most fish farms are owned and managed by individual farm-households, though communally owned farms are also present. Small-scale aquaculture is found to be profitable, though the gross margins are slim. Regression results reveal that production and profit are positively associated with the use of farms for both fingerling and grow-out production and the number of years the farm has existed, while yield and profit/m2 are positively associated with the use of high-quality inputs such as commercial feed and inorganic fertilisers. These results suggest that small-scale fish farmers in Malawi and other similar settings should adopt improved technologies and follow best on-farm management practices to increase production and profits. This study contributes to the discourse on the pathway through which aquaculture in Malawi can best contribute to the country’s development.

Suggested Citation

  • Munthali, Maggie G. & Chilora, Lemekezani & Wineman, Ayala & Nankwenya, Bonface & Chiwaula, Levison & Muyanga, Milu, 2024. "Productivity and profitability of small-scale aquaculture in Malawi," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 63(01-2), May.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:agreko:348224
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.348224
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Adane Hirpa Tufa & Arega D. Alene & Julius Manda & Shiferaw Feleke & Tesfamichael Wossen & M. G. Akinwale & David Chikoye & Victor Manyong, 2021. "The poverty impacts of improved soybean technologies in Malawi," Agrekon, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 60(3), pages 297-316, July.
    2. Khor, Ling Yee & Tran, Nhuong & Shikuku, Kelvin Mashisia & Campos, Natalia & Zeller, Manfred, 2022. "Economic and productivity performance of tilapia and rohu carp polyculture systems in Bangladesh, Egypt, and Myanmar," SocArXiv bwmq4, Center for Open Science.
    3. Kassam, Daud & Sangazi, Marcus, 2016. "Comparative Growth Performance of Oreochromis Hybrids and Selectively-Bred Strain (F8) in Malawi," Sustainable Agriculture Research, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 5(4).
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