Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of small-scale fish
farming sub-sector to rural income generation in Thulamela Municipality in Limpopo
Province, South Africa.The study applied a qualitative method to collect data from
individual respondents of same characteristics using the semi-structured interview
involving 15 small scale fish farmers. The findings from the study revealed that in
terms of gender, more men were participating in the fish farming sector than women.
About 73 percent of the total participants were men as compared to 27 percent of
women participating in fish farming. In terms of age, a large proportion of farmers
were men and women within the age range of 41-50 years and above 50 years who
participated more actively in fish farming than other age groups. The results
revealed some challenges and constraints characterised by theft of fish by
community members, fish-eating birds or predators, poor access to funding,
expensive fish feed, unavailability of fish feed, shortage of land, lack of proper
infrastructure, and insufficient water supply during the drought period. As part of
recommendations, some interventions should be developed to address the
constraints and challenges revealed in the study. Small-scale fish farmers should be
assisted to have access to proper infrastructure, boreholes to supplement available
water during the dry season, fish feed, the agricultural market, land and other
resources for fish farming.
