Divya Rao, USC

My research is about the sustainability of tilapia farming. The reason
I decided to pursue aquaculture in Ghana is because fish is a main
component of Ghanian protein intake, and therefore a study and future
projects concerning sustainable development and production of tilapia
could both help the country with food security and maintain
environmental stability. Prior to arriving in Ghana, I completed an
extensive literature review looking at methods of tilapia farming and
sustainability, and also the current state of aquaculture in Ghana.
Also, by sustaining the environment fish farmers will be able to reap
benefits of tilapia production in the short and long-term. In the
course of my research I will be going to several local fish farms and
interviewing farmers, then evaluating the farms on their respective
sustainability. Additionally, I will work with the Asuansi Farm
Institute and Cape Coast University to understand how aquaculture and
sustainability are being taught. Rounding out my research, I hope to
talk to tilapia vendors and consumers to figure out how much they know
about their food.

As of right now, my research looks very promising! Intentionally or
not, most of the fish farms I have seen have some very sustainable
elements such as integrated aquaculture with agriculture. This is when
a fish pond is located centrally to a farm, and during periods of
heavy rain or drought can provide the agricultural components of the
farm with extra water or prevent too much water from washing away
vegetable beds. This next week I will be interviewing professors from
the University of Cape Coast, as well as visiting more local fish
farms, talking to vendors, and Asuansi Farm students.

So far, my time in Ghana has been incredible. Yesterday, we took a
four hour tro-tro ride from Cape Coast to Kumasi, and roamed the vast,
bustling marketplace. Today we attended a research seminar at the
Kwame Nkrumah University with an amazing professor, who is studying
agricultural engineering. Tonight we'll be heading to the cultural
markets of Kumasi to take a closer look at the Ashanti region's arts
and crafts. It's only been a little more than a week and we've already
been able to travel rather extensively around the country from Accra
to rural Asuansi, Cape Coast to Kumasi. I can't wait to explore more
of Ghana in the coming weeks