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ALCOM has been spreading awareness of fisheries and aquaculture in Botswana. It is also strengthening information on the fishing of small water bodies in Botswana and trying and helping to tap these types of fishery. The picture shows a fish farming demonstration at a school in Pitsane. The fish farmed at the school are three-spot tilapia. - - ALCOM (Aquaculture for local community development). The role of aquaculture is winning increasing recognition in southern Africa. While aquaculture contributes only in a small way to total fish production, it is an important cash and food crop at the micro level for small-scale farmers. ALCOM, a regional programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, helps the countries of southern Africa to improve the living standards of rural populations through the practice of aquaculture. The Programme is funded by Sweden and based in Harare, Zimbabwe. It covers 10 countries: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. ALCOM develops and demonstrates new techniques and technologies through pilot activities. These activities generate valuable experiences and lessons which member-governments and other organizations may apply on a wide scale to touch large masses of the rural population. ALCOM activities relate to introduction of fish farming, extension of fish farming, integration of aquaculture into existing farm systems, surveys of fish farmers, better utilization of the fishing of small water bodies, improving the role of women in fisheries and aquaculture, assistance to member countries in aquaculture planning and formulation of new projects. An information service disseminates information on the programme's activities and also on fish farming in general.

Credit © U. Nermark

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