Value Chain Analysis of Usipa (Engraulicypris sardella) of Lake Malawi

Abstract

Usipa (Engraulicypris sardella) has been classified as social important species from Lake Malawi but not economically important and has thus improved food and nutrition security and livelihoods of the local communities. A study was carried to analyse the value chain of Usipa (Engraulicypris sardella) of Lake Malawi for improving economic, social and environment performance and sustainable management of natural resources. The study objectives were: to map out Usipa value chain actors and to measure performance of Usipa (Engraulicypris sardella) value chain of Lake Malawi. The study was conducted at Mwawa beach, M’baluku, Mwawa and Mangochi markets in Mangochi district. The study adopted design for all of the objectives as research was in the form of a survey. The type of sampling was simple random sampling and sample size was 39. Data was collected by conducting interviews with fishers, wholesalers and retailers through questionnaires. Four actors were identified through mapping out value chain. On gross income fishers get USD 23.04, whole salers get USD 36.64 and retailers get USD 17.66. Gross margin fishers get 21.55%, wholesalers get 33.68% and retailer gets 44.90%. In value added fishers USD 4.28, wholesalers USD 3.38 and retailers USD 5.53. In terms of value share fishers get 32.44%, wholesalers 25.64% and retailers 41.92%. Fishers and retailers were dominated with males while wholesalers were dominated with females. Wholesalers and retailers of Usipa had high level of education while fishers had low level of education. Fishers and wholesalers highly dependence on forestry product compared to retailers. Usipa (Engraulicypris sardella) value chain on short run is profitable, social unbalance and does not promote green sustainability, sanitation and hygiene. DoF and stakeholders should participate in sustainable management of natural resources, implementation of solar tent dryer and enhanced marketing facility for fresh fish and promotes women entrepreneurship for improving Usipa (Engraulicypris sardella) value chain.