Estudo de determinantes da adopção de tecnologias de processamento artesanal de pescado no banco de Sofala

Abstract

In Mozambique, artisanal fishing plays a very important socio-economic role in the life of fishing communities by creating jobs directly for around 100,000 people and providing low-cost animal protein for more than two-thirds of the population living in the coastal zone or off the great bodies of inland waters. About 89% of the national fishery production comes from artisanal fishing. However, a large part of this production is not traded because of post-catch losses or is sold at relatively low prices and consequently lowers the incomes of the players in the fish production and marketing chain. The adoption of good fish handling and processing practices plays a very important role in reducing post-catch losses and contributing to food and nutritional security by increasing the availability of fish for consumption. Between 2003 and 2011, the Artisanal Fishing Project was implemented at the Sofala Bank (PPABAS) in the Sofala Bank region, which includes the provinces of Sofala, Zambézia and Nampula. The project aimed to contribute to improving the living conditions of artisanal fishing communities by improving the use of fishing resources. Among the various actions defined in the components of the project, there are actions that aimed to contribute to the improvement of the quality of fishery products through the dissemination and demonstration of good practices in handling and processing fish among the fishing communities. The present study aimed to (i) describe the different fish processing techniques used by fishing communities to preserve fish; (ii) assess the level of adoption of these techniques; (iii) characterize the adopters; and (iv) analyze the determinants that contributed to its adoption through its diffusion in the fisheries extension programs promoted by the Institute for the Development of Small Scale Fisheries (IDPPE) during the implementation of PPABAS. For this purpose, secondary data from surveys of households of artisanal fishermen in the project area were used. The data collected for the purposes of monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the project, included socio-economic information from the fishermen and the main fish processing techniques adopted for the conservation of the fish. A total of 4,334 households were interviewed, 1,534 in 2005, 1,553 in 2007, and 1247 in 2011. Descriptive statistics show that the most economically active group is in the 26 to 40 age group; the male gender is the most prevalent in the fishing activity, representing about 90%. Despite the improvements observed, the level of education and literacy among artisanal fishermen is still low. The results of the Logistic regression indicate that individuals with a low level of education were less likely to adopt fish processing techniques. The probability of adopting fish processing techniques was higher among respondents who belong to a savings and revolving credit association, have some form of transport and have access to electricity from the national grid. The study raises some implications for future actions by the government, for research and for fisheries extension. The Government, through literacy programs, should continue to improve schooling levels in fishing communities and should employ more extension workers to improve the coverage of fishing extension and assistance to fishing communities. Further studies on the adoption of technologies should be carried out and also on the contribution of fishing extension to improving the standard of living of fishing communities(TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)