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With one-fifth of Malawi comprising of lake bodies, fishing is a widespread trade
around the surrounding, mainland areas. Fish are sold fresh or dried, but especially
dried because only 10% of the Malawian population have access to electricity
(Kambewa et al. 2007) for storage. Dried fish is thus one of the most common and
cheaply available fish on the market. Some of the processing methods require firewood to smoke or dry the fish, and these have contributed to deforestation around
fishing areas. The SEED-Fish project under CABMACC introduced improved fish
processing solar tent dryers and improved smoking kilns to serve as a climate
change adaptation strategy by reducing deforestation that results from processing
fish using firewood (LUANAR 2013). However, it must be noted that innovative
technologies, such as solar tent dryers, are expensive and require strategic consideration on how the communities can sustainably maintain and finance the introduced
technologies.
Therefore, this study examines how the usage of solar tent dryers (Fig. 1)
improved the livelihoods of fish processors in Chipala and Vinthenga. In this regard,
the study addresses the question: how does the usage of solar tent dryers contribute
towards building sustainable livelihoods for FPs? Specifically, the paper assesses
the sustainability and adoption of using solar tent drying method. The research
study uses a mixed method of research. Specific data collection methods included
focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews, participant observation,
and household survey using a questionnaire administered to a hundred respondents.
2 Conceptualising the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach
A livelihood comprises capabilities, tangible and intangible assets and activities
required as a means of living. These components of a livelihood jointly determine
the living gained by individuals or households (Ellis 1999). A livelihood is sustainable when it can cope with and recover from stresses and shocks and maintain or
enhance its capabilities and assets, both now and in the future, while not undermining
Fig. 1 Solar tent dryer constructed at Chipala in 2016. (Source: Fundi Kayamba-Phiri)
Between the Sun and Fish Are People: A Socio-economic Study of Solar Dryers for Fish…
With one-fifth of Malawi comprising of lake bodies, fishing is a widespread trade
around the surrounding, mainland areas. Fish are sold fresh or dried, but especially
dried because only 10% of the Malawian population have access to electricity
(Kambewa et al. 2007) for storage. Dried fish is thus one of the most common and
cheaply available fish on the market. Some of the processing methods require firewood to smoke or dry the fish, and these have contributed to deforestation around
fishing areas. The SEED-Fish project under CABMACC introduced improved fish
processing solar tent dryers and improved smoking kilns to serve as a climate
change adaptation strategy by reducing deforestation that results from processing
fish using firewood (LUANAR 2013). However, it must be noted that innovative
technologies, such as solar tent dryers, are expensive and require strategic consideration on how the communities can sustainably maintain and finance the introduced
technologies.
Therefore, this study examines how the usage of solar tent dryers (Fig. 1)
improved the livelihoods of fish processors in Chipala and Vinthenga. In this regard,
the study addresses the question: how does the usage of solar tent dryers contribute
towards building sustainable livelihoods for FPs? Specifically, the paper assesses
the sustainability and adoption of using solar tent drying method. The research
study uses a mixed method of research. Specific data collection methods included
focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews, participant observation,
and household survey using a questionnaire administered to a hundred respondents.
2 Conceptualising the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach
A livelihood comprises capabilities, tangible and intangible assets and activities
required as a means of living. These components of a livelihood jointly determine
the living gained by individuals or households (Ellis 1999). A livelihood is sustainable when it can cope with and recover from stresses and shocks and maintain or
enhance its capabilities and assets, both now and in the future, while not undermining
Fig. 1 Solar tent dryer constructed at Chipala in 2016. (Source: Fundi Kayamba-Phiri)
Between the Sun and Fish Are People: A Socio-economic Study of Solar Dryers for Fish…