Design, equipment and budget of a pilot training farm for the integral culture of tropical freshwater aquatic animals.

Abstract

This facility is designed to be part of a Training Centre in Aquatic Biotechnology and Resources for Technicians in the Equatorial Africa. Its overall aim is to support regional economic development through the sustainable exploitation of live aquatic resources. Students will be trained in Tropical fresh- water aquaculture, including:

- Design and building of rural aquaculture farms. - Training in freshwater fish and crustaceans culture. - Working in aquaculture farms (facilities maintenance, fish and crustacean management and production). - Working in aquaculture extension services.

In addition, fish produced at this pilot farm will provide broodstock and fry for regional rural farms. Trained personell can be an usefull tool to disseminate tropical freshwater aquaculture in the region through the teaching of how to design , build and manage rural aquaculture farms in locations with aquatic resources such as lakes, rivers or water reservoirs, improving their life standards through the production of cheap, high quality protein for human consumption. In addition, economic profits can be also achieved through the sale of cultured aquatic animals in local markets. Part of the trained personell can be contracted to maintain this pilot farm, which will be financed in the long term by the sale of produced animals, both in local markets and in rural farms allready existing or developed as a consequence of this project.