To enhance the cooperation and strengthen exchanges in the field of agriculture between China and South Africa, Chinese government establish a agriculture technology demonstration center mainly about aquaculture technology. At the request of the ministry of commerce, Deputy Prof. Yu Tongbing, Deputy Prof. Wang Jianxin and Mr. Hua Fenglei were selected by FFRC to provide technical support in the demonstration center in South Africa since February, 2014. The experts group has conquered a series of difficulty and achieved fruitful results, thus supported greatly for the scientific research, demonstration promotion and sustainable development.
1. Great emphasis were put on the experts group by both sides.
The ministry of agriculture, the ministry of commerce and Chinese academy of fishery sciences all pay high attention to the support work conducted in the demonstration center in South Africa, and provides great support in experts selection and fund guarantee. After the experts arrival, a grand welcome ceremony was held in south Africa, deputy director general of ministry of agriculture of south Africa, officials from fisheries department in Cape Town and agriculture department of Free State came to the center, extended warm welcome and sincere gratitude for China`s support.
2. In-depth research and technical guidance were conducted
To get to know the actural aquaculture condition of the demonstration center, the experts group did Field measurements, leakage arrangements and weeds cleaning according the freshwater aquaculture standards. Indexes like Water temperature, dissolved oxygen, ph, ammonia nitrogen, etc were measured and recorded at fixed period, the water quality was scientifically monitored at the same time. Thanks to these works, solid foundation was laid for induced breeding in spring time. At the same time, the experts group also guided 6 fish farmers which are financed by the South Africa government in the surrounding areas. more than 30 Farmers were benefit from their site guidance.
3. Successful induced breeding and home-made feed
Resources of brooders are relatively scarce in the demonstration center, what is more, most of the cat fish and carps left by the old breeding center can not be used as brooders. The Chinese experts adjust measures to local conditions and take advantage of what they did have to start a common carp breeding test. Without any history records for references, the experts successfully breed the first batch of carp fry. Meanwhile, the original aquaculture water, feeding method, shade along the pond, and temperature problems have been improved to secure the survive rate of fish seed. According to the scarce feed of freshwater fish, they made feed themselves by using the fermented soybean meal for brooders. This measure not only save a lot of the production cost, but also get highly appreciated of the South African officials and aquaculture farmers.
4. Broadly conducting technical extension services
As the top function of the main three functions of the demonstration center, education and training are paid highly attention by both governments. The experts successively drafted < training plan for agricultural technology demonstration center between china and south africa>, compiled < african catfish breeding and aquaculture instruction manual>. These materials are consistently improved according to the suggestions of South Africa staff. From August 14th to December 22nd, the center has hosted 9 training courses on aquaculture, total number of participants reaches 165. The Chinese experts taught All training courses, and lectures including “Chinese pond aquaculture technology ", "Pond construction and management", "Chinese freshwater fishery development summary" and " characteristics and its development prospect of the African catfish”. The Chinese experts illustrate the basic situation of China and the development of freshwater fish at the invitation of FREE STATE. South Africa BC TV station recorded training courses in demonstration center and interviewed with the experts by “Living Land”Programme Groups.
In 2015, according to the existing level and the development of freshwater fishery, the panel keep working based on the three main basic functions including education and training, experiment research, extension services. They protected native fish resources in South Africa and did research and extension for ornamental fish breeding technology, and work together to strive for demonstration center to develop into the training and research base throughout South Africa and southern Africa. Moreover, the center Support the surrounding small farmers, and gradually form a demonstration center for the technical core of a certain area of freshwater fish breeding base.
