CONTRIBUTION OF FISHING TO HOUSEHOLDS' ECONOMY - EVIDENCE FROM FISHER-FARMER COMMUNITIES IN CONGO

摘要

Small-scale fisheries in developing countries have often been perceived as a low-productivity, backward informal sector. As a result they are rarely considered as a possible entry point in poverty reduction and rural development planning. Data collected in Democratic Republic of Congo show that this perception may not reflect the empirical reality. Through group and individual household interviews we investigate the dual role of fish as food and cash-crop in this very remote rural area of Congo. Thedata show that -like in a majority of inland fisheries- fishing is operated seasonally as part of a household-based multi-activity livelihood strategy. Analysis shows that the poorest households rely more heavily on fishing for their supply of protein-rich food, in particular through the fish caught by women. Fishing also appears to be the main source of cash income for the majority of the households, including farmers. In fact households which have the opportunity to engage in fishing often display a higher income than non-fishing households. Based on these findings the paper argues that small-scale fisheries can play a fundamental role in local economy, especially in remote rural areas where they can contribute to strengthen the livelihoods of peoplethrough both food security and cash-income generation.