The Brief

Chikolongo is situated on the outskirts of Liwonde National Park, Malawi. In 2013, a new fish farm project was developed, based in Chikolongo village, to address the concerns relating to poaching within the National Park and also improve food security and climate resilience for local communities.  24 households are directly engaged in the farm, which consists of seven fish ponds, two duck houses and one hectare of land for agricultural farming.  The farm also has positive impacts on the wider community through provision of water at a safe location away from the river and the protection of crops from animals. 

The farm also includes a six km fence which runs along the Western boundary of Liwonde National Park. The fence is electrified and designed to prevent poachers from entering the park, whilst also deterring elephants from encroaching on local farm land. 

Historically, the local community are engaged in maize and soybean farming, animal protein is often obtained from fish taken illegally from the Shire River which is protected within the National Park. The requirement for a more sustainable dietary source of protein has led to the construction of Chikolongo Fish Farm. Tilapia, locally known as Chambo, are purchased from a commercial hatchery on Lake Malawi and are stocked in to the fish ponds for on-growing to market size.

For the next three months I will be working on the farm, to write a 'Best Management Practice' manual and to develop the skills and knowledge of the 24 families. 

The Entrance to the Farm.