Integrating aquaculture with traditional farming system: socioeconomic assessment in the Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Semi-intensive aquaculture practice started in 2005 in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. An evaluation survey was undertaken in September 2009. Beneficiaries, key informants and various groups were interviewed. Constructed aquaculture ponds were different in source of water, structure, age, original purpose, level of integration and the type of fish stocked. Farming households integrated aquaculture with different production subsystems and increased the flow of nutrients. At the same time they gained different benefits. However, the practice has been also constrained by various challenges. Farmers’ research extension group approach, provision of gillnets, appropriate fish species and mono-sex culture, capacity building of the research and extension system, and proper follow up are the recommendations for integrated aquaculture expansion.