Income, food security, and proverty reduction: Case studies ofsmall-scale aquaculture producers in Santa Barbara, Honduras

摘要

Tilapia, several species and their hybrids are one of the major groups of farm raised fish in the world. The diffusion of tilapia culture as a farm enterprise in Honduras has been a long-term process. Nonetheless, in many Honduran rural communities, tilapia culture has become an important component of local agricultural activities. Notable expansion and successful implementation of fishponds in some communities reflects water and soil resource suitability, as well as social networks that popularize such activity and support its adoption. This paper examines socio-economic factors leading to the sustained adoption of tilapia culture by small tilapia holders at Santa Barbara, Honduras. Case studies of two clusters of small-scale producers that have engaged in repeated cycles of tilapia production in the Santa Barbara region since 1996 is reported. Understanding the role aquaculture plays at the household and community levels in Honduras may help to prospective communities with appropriate resources and socioeconomic circumstances in other areas in Central America realize the potential of fish culture to provide income, protein, and food security.