Launch of ‘Hands-On’ Aquaculture Project to Improve Living Standards of Western Cape Rural Communities

5 December 2005

13 Successful small-scale trout farming projects now operating under a scheme developed by University of Stellenbosch and supported by Department of Science and Technology.
The Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Derek Hanekom officially launched the Hands-On Aquaculture Project on Monday, 05 December 2005 at Graham Beck Wine Estate, Franschhoek, Western Cape, as part of the Department’s Technology for Poverty Reduction initiative.

The project is a joint initiative between the University of Stellenbosch and the Department of Science and Technology and is aimed at contributing towards economic empowerment and social development of disadvantaged rural communities through Aquaculture.

One of the main objectives of the project is the improvement of the standards of living in rural communities with regards to income, nutritional standards and skills development. The initiative to establish sustainable small-scale trout farming units in rural areas of the Western Cape was launched during 2004 by the Division of Aquaculture, Stellenbosch University with the assistance of the Department of Science and Technology and the private sector. The labour requirements of fruit and fish farming are compatible in that harvesting takes place at different times of the year.

At the official launch of the Hands-On project Deputy Minister Derek Hanekom said, ‘The Department of Science and Technology recognises that the economic value for small and medium scale enterprises rests largely in post-harvest, value addition (beneficiation) technologies and that technical support services are very significant and offer great opportunities. We extend an invitation to the private sector to join hands with us, and our partners in government to expand this industry through public-private partnerships targeting of small, medium, and large-scale enterprises.’ The science of Aquaculture involves the growing of fish in a controlled environment. Existing irrigation dams are being used in the project. Through this project a viable trout fish farming business has been created. The trout are sold to a fish processor, Three Streams Smoke House, who in turn sells their products to the food service and retail sectors.

The programme began in 2004 with 5 small-scale Aquaculture projects being brought into operation. However due to the impressive success rate, 8 more projects were established in the Western Cape in 2005. A further 12 have received statutory approval and will come into production in 2006. To date over 150 farm labourers have been involved in these projects.

The University of Stellenbosch, through its Aquaculture division of the Faculty of Agri-Sciences, provides the technical know-how for the project. Through a grant from the Department of Science and Technology the University of Stellenbosch has been able to train 30 small farmers in all aspects of fish farming. Small-business skills’ training has also been provided.

To commercialise the process, Hands-On Fish Farmers Co-operative Limited was formed as an empowerment project. The majority of the members are from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and they are the small-scale trout farmers. The co-operative was established to assist the farmer members with start-up capital, working capital, and with operational, legal and other business related matters. The objective of the co-operative is to break even in order to maximise the members’ income. The co-operative has signed a long-term market-uptake agreement for 200 tons of trout per annum with Three Streams Smokehouse in Franschhoek. Individual farmers produce up to 6 tons per annum.

More information and high-resolution photographic material can be provided on request.

Contact: Nthabi Maoela
Tel: (012) 317-4448