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Genetically-Improved Tilapia Strains in Africa: Potential Benefits and Negative Impacts

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  • Yaw B. Ansah

    (Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 100 Cheatham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
    Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 208 Hutcheson Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA)

  • Emmanuel A. Frimpong

    (Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 100 Cheatham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA)

  • Eric M. Hallerman

    (Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 100 Cheatham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA)

Abstract

Two genetically improved tilapia strains (GIFT and Akosombo) have been created with Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia), which is native to Africa. In particular, GIFT has been shown to be significantly superior to local African tilapia strains in terms of growth rate. While development economists see the potential for food security and poverty reduction in Africa from culture of these new strains of tilapia, conservationists are wary of potential ecological and genetic impacts on receiving ecosystems and native stocks of tilapia. This study reviews the history of the GIFT technology, and identifies potential environmental and genetic risks of improved and farmed strains and tilapia in general. We also estimate the potential economic gains from the introduction of genetically improved strains in Africa, using Ghana as a case country. Employing a combination of the Economic-Surplus model and Monte Carlo simulation, we found the mean net present value (NPV) of the introduction of the GIFT strain in Ghana to be approximately 1% of the country’s gross domestic product. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the difference in growth or yield between the GIFT and locally-available strains has the largest effect on mean NPV. We conclude that improvements in management practices and infrastructure could increase the yield and profitability of the local strains even if genetically-improved strains are not introduced. These improvements also will ensure the realization of the full potential of introduced strains.

Suggested Citation

  • Yaw B. Ansah & Emmanuel A. Frimpong & Eric M. Hallerman, 2014. "Genetically-Improved Tilapia Strains in Africa: Potential Benefits and Negative Impacts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(6), pages 1-25, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:6:y:2014:i:6:p:3697-3721:d:36875
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gupta, M.V. & Bartley, D.M. & Acosta, B.O. (eds.), 2004. "Use of genetically improved and alien species for aquaculture and conservation of aquatic biodiversity in Africa," Monographs, The WorldFish Center, number 16182, April.
    2. Gupta, M.V., 2002. "Genetic enhancement and conservation of aquatic biodiversity in Africa," Naga, The WorldFish Center, vol. 25(3/4), pages 48-49.
    3. Vida-Lina Esperanza B. Alpuerto & George W. Norton & Jeffrey Alwang & Abdelbagi M. Ismail, 2009. "Economic Impact Analysis of Marker-Assisted Breeding for Tolerance to Salinity and Phosphorous Deficiency in Rice," Review of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 31(4), pages 779-792, December.
    4. Eknath, A.E. & Acosta, B.O., 1998. "Genetic Improvement of Farmed Tilapias (GIFT) Project: final report, March 1988 to December 1997," Monographs, The WorldFish Center, number 13451, April.
    5. Bene, C. & Heck, S., 2005. "Fish and food security in Africa," Naga, The WorldFish Center, vol. 28(3/4), pages 8-13.
    6. Rudi, Nderim & Norton, George W. & Alwang, Jeffrey Roger & Asumugha, Godwin N., 2010. "Economic impact analysis of marker-assisted breeding for resistance to pests and post harvest deterioration in cassava," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 4(2), June.
    7. Gupta, M.V. & Acosta, B.O., 2004. "From drawing board to dining table: the success story of the GIFT project," Naga, The WorldFish Center, vol. 27(3-4), pages 4-14.
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    1. Crentsil, Christian & Gschwandtner, Adelina & Wahhaj, Zaki, 2020. "The effects of risk and ambiguity aversion on technology adoption: Evidence from aquaculture in Ghana," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 46-68.
    2. T. Olivier Amoussou & Aboubacar Toguyeni & Ibrahim Imorou Toko & Antoine Chikou & Mivice Bravo & Issaka Youssao Abdou Karim, 2017. "Effects of Hydrogeographical Origin on Zootechnical Parameters of Wild Populations of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758)," International Journal of Sciences, Office ijSciences, vol. 6(05), pages 30-42, May.
    3. Subasinghe, R.P. & Amarasinghe, U.S. & Arthur, R. & Bartley, D.M. & McGladdery, S., 2021. "Guidelines for managing the risks of introductions and transfers of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT)," Monographs, The WorldFish Center, number 40958, April.
    4. Ragasa, Catherine & Andam, Kwaw S. & Kufoalor, Doreen S. & Amewu, Sena, 2018. "A blue revolution in sub-Saharan Africa? Evidence from Ghana’s tilapia value chain," GSSP working papers 49, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

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