Aquaculture makes it BIG in malawi

So, in Malawi the president Bingu wa Mutharika has declared that there will be a new national aquaculture strategy launch in late Feb. This "strategy" is meant to use aquaculture as a tool to increase food security and incomes of small-holder families in rural areas.

Its a little ironic as aquaculture has been around in Africa (as a potential solution to poverty and mal-nutrition) since 1950's or so. I found documents that were printed in late 70's talking about aquaculture as an integrated approach to increasing nutrition in diets. But I guess it takes 50 or so years for the news to reach and affect policy makers.

So expectdly things are fairly busy around here. Deputy ministers have visited and many "degree holders" as they call the senior staff are off to meetings in Lilongwe, the captial, with the Minister of Fisheries and the head of the Department of Fishereies. In fact the Executive Director, if that is his title, but anyway World Fish International's head is flying in on Tuesday. So that will be exciting and an experience.

As for my catfish, they are doing well. Admittedly the research team has had its problems, mainly because of poor management and communication and one guy who more or less is a loose nut, but in data analysis we are still able to make some conclusions.

Additionally, we are doing an on-station experiment to re-test field results by perfecting data collection techniques (ie. no variation or screw ups).

One of my fellow researchers a women from Zambia is leaving tommorow and I will be sad to see her go as she has been a genuine hard-worker on this project.

But what I learned from her wasnt feild related but that as a women (or even man) working in Africa (or perhaps anywhere) its important to be diplomatic and look good in front of your bosses. I am not one to suck up and try to impress others, and I have found this approach not to work to my favour here. Wheres as in Canada mostly its a different story as genuine people that can intuitively read situations are around. Okay there is my "vent." But yeah maybe my office political side should develop and personal need to remain ethical and fair should not always rule. . .