The Zambian Government, in collaboration with FAO, undertook the elaboration of this curriculum (part I) within the framework of the Zambia Aquaculture Enterprise Development Project (UTF/ZAM/077/ZAM). Furthermore, FAO complemented the practicality of this curriculum by drafting and refining the Training Manual (part II), which has been tested in many African countries and with different stakeholders. To ensure complementarity of opportunities and clear progression of education and capacity development, each actor involved in the sector should strive to network with teaching institutions, researchers and producers to guarantee that the curriculum remains relevant and stays abreast of developments for aquaculture practitioners; this will include developing national, regional and international linkages with institutions involved in aspects of training for aquaculture. Therefore, this curriculum will function as a living document.

Many countries are promoting aquaculture as one of the prime drivers of the rural economy and the employment of women and youth. [Author] However, the industry is criticized for inadequately representing the needs of workers. [Author] Most African countries have shown a willingness to advance industry goals through domestic programme planning and facilitating foreign direct investment. [Author] However, there is a need for coherent strategies for employment governance. [Author] Hence, immediate change is required to modify the governance of aquaculture employment to foster industrial transformation. [Author] The objective of this research is to enhance understanding of the governance of aquaculture employment in ten African countries (Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia) and to determine their level of compliance with existing employment legislation in those countries. [Author] The ultimate goal is to learn from both positive and negative lessons and propose possible corrective measures for substandard practices in order to improve the public perception of aquaculture. [Author] The study seeks to evaluate existing employment governance in the aquaculture industry and to use the acquired knowledge to inform policymakers and industry leaders on the status of governance in employment. [Author]

This first module on managing aquaculture as a business covers technical aspects such as primary productivity, carrying capacity, growth rate and yield in water, general classification criteria for aquaculture systems and the main features of pond- and cage-based fish farming systems. It will be complemented by a second module on the economic aspects.

In the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region, it is estimated that around 100 million people eat fish and other aquatic foods (molluscs, crustacea) regularly. Aquatic foods are generally the most affordable source of dietary animal protein containing essential fatty acids and micronutrients, and are therefore of overwhelming importance for food and nutrition security, particularly for poorer segments of the population, and for sustaining livelihoods and driving economic development. However, per capita consumption of aquatic foods in SADC (2015) at 11.3 kg/yr is 79 percent lower than the global average of 20.2 kg/yr; moreover, the high consumption rates in some of the island and coastal states mask the very low consumption rates of around 5 kg/capita/yr in the rest of the region. With rapid population growth, the gap between supply and demand of aquatic foods in most SADC countries continues to increase. Taking only fish into account, it is predicted that SADC Member States will collectively have a supply deficit by the mid-2020s of around 570 000 MT per year.

This book examines how the adaptability and innovation of small-scale aquaculture farmers have been crucial to success in the region. It describes the relationship between aquaculture development in Asia to natural systems, social conditions and economics.