Njera D.¹, Chonde C.¹, Kambewa D.¹, Dzanja J.¹, and Kayambazinthu D.²

1. Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Malawi

2. Department of Forestry, Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources, Malawi

 

Abstract: This study examined factors that influence performance of fish farmer organizations in Mchinji and Dowa districts in central Malawi. Its focus was to analyze motivating factors that contributed towards formation of fish farmer organizations and also to examine factors that motivated farmers to join farmer organizations as well as those that affect the capacity of farmer organizations in promoting fish farming activities. Community action research approach was used for this study. All the five fish farmer organizations with 68 fish farmers involved in Community Action Research Programme (CARP) Fish Project were selected for the study. Data were analysed using content analysis, Discriminant Functional Analysis (DFA) and critical discourse analysis. Results showed that increasing income generation, enhancing household food security and ensuring access to credit  facilities were the major motivating factors that acted as incentives for fish farmers to establish their farmer organizations and such factors influence the success of the farmer organizations. DFA further shows that the various socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the members have a significant influence on the capacity and performance of the farmer organizations. Based on the findings in this study, it is recommended that farmer organizations should be adequately orientated on importance of the identified factors to ensure effective and sustainable fish farmer organizations.

Key words: action research, fish farmer organization, organizational performance