Introduction
Aquaculture is growing at an impressive rate in Africa and slowly becoming a very fast growing animal‐food‐producing sector. African aquaculture production in 2012 was about 2.23 % (1 485 367 metric tonnes) of the global total (66 633 253 metric tonnes). This is impressive to the situation back in 1990 where the African production constituted about 0.62 % (81 015 metric tonnes) of the global production (13 074 679 metric tonnes), FAO, 2014A. The sector contributes to about 0.15 % of national GDP and 0.96 % of agricultural GDP on the continent (FAO, 2014B) and employs about 920000 workers which is about 7 5% of total number of workers (12,269,000) in the fisheries and aquaculture sector on the continent (FAO, 2014).
Females make up about 50 % of the workforce in the aquaculture sector mainly in the post-harvest sector. As further indication of growth in the sector, there has been spectacular increase in the total number fish farmers from 65000 in 1995 to 298000 in 2012 in Africa. Aquaculture technological development and production is however far behind Asia as a continent which contributes to nearly 90 % of global production. In Africa, in 2012, North Africa contributed to 1. 55 % (1 030 675 metric tonnes) to total African aquaculture production with Egypt being the main aquaculture producer country whilst Sub-Saharan Africa contributed about 0.68 % (454 691 metric tonnes) with Nigeria being the major producer.
The sector is contributing to readily available protein supplies, income generation and livelihoods in rural communities. Despite some advances in commercialized practices, the culture system is primarily subsistence based on the continent which has inhibited the realization of full anticipated contribution to nutrition, poverty alleviation and economic growth. The sector’s growth is however partly hampered by lack of recognized adequate information and dissemination systems on best practices, technologies, markets etc. on the continent.
Rationale
The growing aquaculture industry has stimulated the proliferation of clusters of associations mainly at national levels to advance the causes and protect the interest of various aspects of the industry. Some of the associations are species-based (e.g. catfish, tilapia farmers associations etc.), whilst others have interest that on post-harvest activities (mainly processors, women) and some advocates generally for aquaculture sector at national level.
A key challenge to sustainable aquaculture in Africa is the limited information on technologies and best culture practices, market information, business models on getting started etc. available to the industry practitioners or prospective investors. This inadequacy has had negative impact on the development and a major cause for the still heavily imbibed traditional culture systems. These multiple associations with diverse aim and purposes may have been established to generally support the development of the sector by addressing some of these key challenges. But their support had not made any tangible impact on the development of the sector and is mainly limited to national levels. The fragmented nature of these associations at national levels preclude any level of coordination and hence support to farmers by way of structured information dissemination on best practices or lessons. The capacity to support the constituent members of these national associations can be strengthened by institutional arrangement at regional levels linked to these national associations. The institutional arrangement at regional levels could be in the form of regional network that could be construed as ‘one stop’ information clearance house for aquaculture development.
At continental level, there is in existence an Aquaculture Network for Africa (ANAF) and the Committee for Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture. These institutions are facing challenges in supporting member states for aquaculture development. There is a need to establish regional networks for aquaculture which could be the pillar to support or as a forerunner for an effective continental apex body. The proposed networks should be constituted out of and/or recognized by various national aquaculture associations as a network through access to information on technology, feeds, fingerlings, trade and market data etc. can easily be available. This hypothesis is premised on the assumption that the regional networks would bridge the information gap between an overarching continental body and the national associations.
The proposed regional networks would have identified linkages through the AFRM working groups to enhance their capacity and seeking external information on technologies, research and development, lessons and best practices.
The challenge how is to work out the various options on establishing regional networks for aquaculture, the approach to establishing a sustainable network and their terms of references and modul operandus. There is therefore to carry out a consultancy for the development of a framework for establishment of regional aquaculture networks.
Objectives
The overall objective of the consultancy is to develop a framework for the establishment of regional aquaculture networks. Specifically, the objectives would be:
Background of existing continental and regional aquaculture networks on lessons learnt and best practices
To identify national aquaculture associations
Formulate a framework for establishing regional aquaculture networks including its objectives, terms of reference, rule of procedure
Identify foreseen challenges and suggest possible solutions
Main Activities
Briefing by AU-IBAR
Identify exiting regional and continental aquaculture networks, functions, challenges and success stories
Carry out inventory of functional aquaculture networks, their main objectives and institutional arrangements
Develop terms of reference and rule of procedure for an effective regional aquaculture network
Propose an institutional arrangement and linkage with, for example, the AFRM aquaculture working group
Propose a mechanism for sustainability of the networks
Prepare and submit a comprehensive report on the above
Qualification and Experience
The qualified candidate should have a post-graduate degree in natural resources, policy and development planning or social sciences.
General Experiences
Three experience in institutional formulation and institutional sector
Should be familiar with community development, organization and mobilization programmes
Proven knowledge of international networks and their functions
Specific Experiences
The successful candidate should have at least 5 years’ experience in natural resources management
Familiarization and proven knowledge on the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Africa
Knowledge on the community-based organizations in the fisheries and aquaculture sector at regional and national levels
Proven knowledge on AU languages, IT
Remuneration
The total payment for this consultancy is nine thousands (US$ 15,000).
Selection of Consultants
The selection of the consultant will be based on the technical evaluation. The consultant with the highest technical score will be selected.
Evaluation Criteria
The applications will be evaluated on the basis of the relevant technical qualifications, experience and competence of the candidates.
HOW TO APPLY:
Submission of Proposal
The deadline for submission of the proposal is 23 May 2016 at 15h00.
The address for submission of the proposal is applications@au-ibar.org