Sustainable livelihoods: the role of small-scale aquaculture to food security in Malawi

The rapid rise and evolution of aquaculture over the past few decades has led to both optimism and apprehension regarding the sector’s sustainability and role to food security. Comprised predominantly of small-scale operators, the sector is recognised to play a critical role in supporting livelihoods, contributing to food security and alleviating poverty. However, the ability to achieve these potential benefits is not a given and the transformation of communities adopting aquaculture can be positive, neutral or negative. Assessing the sectors contribution in a systematic way has been an uphill challenge due to the typical part-time and dynamic temporal engagement of operators as well as the complex socio-ecological factors that mediate aquaculture development outcomes. Moreover, the multidimensional concept of food security presents challenges to the assessment of the role of aquaculture to food security. The aim of this thesis is to explore and assess the role of small-scale aquaculture to food security. This thesis adopts a mixed methods approach and is guided by the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach framework. This thesis’s contribution to the debate focuses on Malawi, a country where the potential for aquaculture development is reported considerable. Drawing on mixed qualitative and quantitative methods, overall findings reveal that small-scale aquaculture contributes marginally but positively to local livelihoods through complex pathways to improved food security, improved well-being and reduced vulnerability. However, the type of aquaculture development, gender relations and cultural norms shape development outcomes. Significant social, environmental and economic constraints are also identified that negatively affect the sustainability of aquaculture. Findings presented have important policy implications and make novel contributions to the on-going debate concerning aquaculture’s future and its role to food security.