Farm ponds for water, fish and livelihoods

Aquaculture has been recognized as an important component of rural development, aimed at improving food supply and generating more income for poor farming households. Ponds add value to farming activities: water from ponds can serve domestic and livestock water supplies as well as irrigation for crops. Raising fish is an obvious use for a farm pond; it adds value to the water and provides improved nutrition for farm families. Smallholder farms ponds can be viable and sustainable enterprises with appropriate targeted assistance. Planned and implemented interventions can facilitate assistance that makes farmers self-reliant rather than dependent on the public sector, NGOs and donors.

The benefits can be:

• organised and better informed farmers
• progressive farms that are self-sustaining
• higher and sustained productivity
• marketable surpluses
• higher family earnings

The multiple use of water from ponds needs to be understood so that it can be used to produce farm products and meet domestic needs. Farmers also need advice on effective use of resources and input of nutrients as well as training and institutional support.

The booklet suggests ways in which smallholder farmers can participate in the market economy and work with the private sector. Diversification of livelihoods for smallholders that includes farm ponds involves, among others: integration of water supply to the farm, understanding local knowledge of integrated farming with several farm enterprises, and understanding the farmer’s circumstances and capabilities so they can get the highest possible benefit while minimizing risks.