Why Aquaculture Trials Have Not Been Successful in Tanzania? 117THE CONTRIBUTION OF AQUACULTURE ON
THE COMMUNITY WELFARE
Aquaculture production has high potential to contribute to the welfare of
the people and the development of Tanzania as whole and Zanzibar in
particular. However, due to a number of challenges which the sector has been
facing, it’s contribution has been insignificant. Nevertheless it is important to
identify those areas where aquaculture can play an increasing and significant
contribution if it is properly developed.
Provide Source of Animal Food: Aquaculture provides animal protein
which is in short supply in many rural areas. Aquatic organisms are high in
protein, minerals and vitamins and are generally low in fat, higher in
polyunsaturates that can help to reduce cholesterol in blood and have a higher
carcass dress-out percentage than land animals (Hague, 1992). Similarly,
aquatic products can be consumed more often and at any time of the year as it
is easier to catch a few cultured organisms for consumption than to slaughter
other domesticated animals. However, due to low production not much
consumption of animal protein came from aquaculture production. Wetengere
and Madalla (2011) indicated that on average the consumption of farmed
milkfish and crab was only once or twice a year. This is in line with this
study’s survey results from Zanzibar which revealed that aquatic products
were consumed irregularly. In comparison, wild capture fish was consumed
year round and on regular basis (ibid.).
Provide Income: Similarly, aquaculture provides products for sale to
contribute to people’s income. An advantage of aquatic products as a cash
crop over other cash crops is a continuous flow of income (non-season) as a
result of planned harvest. Harvest of crops like green maize, fresh tomatoes or
vegetables cannot be postponed to capture higher profits in certain periods of
the year. It can also be an important source of foreign exchange for a country.
However, due to low production, aquaculture contributes less than 10% of
small scale total income in Tanzania. A study by Wetengere and Madalla
(2011) in Rufiji, Mafia and Kilwa (RUMAKI) districts revealed that
aquaculture contributed only 0.4% of the total household income (compared to
20% of total earning from wild capture fisheries, 58% from businesses and
19% from agriculture). Furthermore, wild capture fisheries earned 50 times
more than what milkfish and crab farming together were earning. In addition,
on average, farmers earned income from milkfish and crab farming only once