Optimizing Smallholder Farming through Integrated Agriculture-Aquaculture Systems: Lessons from Bong County, Liberia
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Keywords
Integrated Agriculture Aquaculture system (IAA), Liberia, Bong County, rice, fish
Abstract
Integrated agriculture aquaculture (IAA) systems are aimed at improving agricultural sustainability among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. However, many factors, chief among them being inadequate knowledge, hinder its wide adoption among the farmers in the region. The current study explored the potential to carry out rice (Oryzae sativa) IAA in Liberia. Eight districts in Bong County took part in the study. Once the system was set up, farmers received training on the maintenance. Tilapia (Oreochromis nilotica) was the fish species used in this study while three rice varieties were used: Nerica L19, Suakoko 8, and Arica 2. Productivity was only influenced by district, indicating different levels of management know-how. The highest rice yields were obtained from Noryea, Nengbien 2, and Warta, where the performance was significantly higher than the rest of the districts (P < 0.05). Nerica L-19 cultivated in Warta recorded the highest yield of 15.2 t/ha, followed by Suakoko 8 (13.4 t/ha) in the same district. Best tilapia yields were obtained from Warta, Kpainyah, and Neigbein 2. The largest fish yield was recorded at Warta (840 kg/ha), whilst Gbarnga-Siaquelle and Noryea yielded the lowest (each at 430 kg/ha). The district with the best rice IAA productivity was Warta. Additional training is required to improve the productivity of the rice-IAA system in Liberia. This paper informs the policymakers to address the management skills gap among the farmers.
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Hinneh Mandela , Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), 3229 Suakoko, Bong County, Liberia
Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), 3229 Suakoko, Bong County, Liberia
Samuel T. Mulbah, Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), 3229 Suakoko, Bong County, Liberia
Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), 3229 Suakoko, Bong County, Liberia
Quaqua S. Mulbah, Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), 3229 Suakoko, Bong County, Liberia
Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), 3229 Suakoko, Bong County, Liberia
Horku P. Yansine, Cuttington University, 2CRW+5FC, Phebe, Liberia
Cuttington University, 2CRW+5FC, Phebe, Liberia
Delphine Lethimonnier, Pisciculture Paysanne (APDRA), 20 rue Ampere 91300 Massey, France
Pisciculture Paysanne (APDRA), 20 rue Ampere 91300 Massey, France
Miriam W. Chege, University of Eldoret, P.o Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya
University of Eldoret, P.o Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya
Kipkogei Chemitei , University of Eldoret, P.o Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya
University of Eldoret, P.o Box 1125, Eldoret, Kenya