National Aquaculture Strategic Plan (2021-2031).

The National Aquaculture Strategic Plan (2021-2031) (NASP II) has as goal is to enhance production and productivity from aquaculture for increased household incomes, national economic growth and regional trade. The Strategy was developed through a number of stages, that included (i) desk reviews, (ii) review of the first edition of the National Aquaculture Strategic Plan (2005 – 2015), (iv) building on the SADC Aligned National Aquaculture Strategy, (v) consultative meetings with the key stakeholders including fish farmers, value chain players, (v) technical review and (vi) national and regional validation workshops.
The Strategy recognises that farming of fish and the auxiliary activities in the aquaculture value chain, are first and foremost economic activities. In this regard, NASP II further reinforces the fundamental focus on solid and logical sound commercial perspective, in order to transform subsistence fish farming into market-led SMME. Therefore, conceptual framework this Strategy is underpinned by six strategic themes. The themes are as follow: (i) Theme 1: Transformation of small-scale aquaculture into market-led SMMEs, (ii) technological innovations, (ii) Theme 2: Knowledge and capacity strengthening of fish farmers, (iii) Theme 3: Market efficiency, (iv) Theme 4: Climate-resilience and environmental sustainability, (v) Theme 5: Technology development and innovations, and (vi) Theme 6: Public institutional infrastructure enhancement
The Strategy defines a delivery mechanism and implementation arrangement in order to optimise food and nutrition security and well-being of fish farming communities, and enable Malawi to realise the wealth-generating potential of aquaculture. The primary responsibility of implementing NASP II lies with the Department of Fisheries in the Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources in Malawi.