Value chain mapping, market efficiency, and nutrient composition of synodontis njassae (Cuvier, 1816) (pisces: mochokidae) from lake Malawi, Mangochi district, Malawi.

Abstract

Fisheries and aquaculture value chains are important sectors in supporting the livelihoods of societies, contributing about 28% of the dietary animal protein intake and 40% of the total protein supply of Malawians. This study evaluated the value chain map, market efficiency, and nutrient composition of Synodontis njassae from the south-east arm of Lake Malawi in Mangochi District, Malawi. The study adopted a stratified random sampling technique for value chain mapping and market efficiency survey. A total of 532 respondents (fishers, middlemen, processors, and retailers) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire at Makawa, Kela, Chimphamba, Namgoma, and Masasa fish landing sites in Mangochi. The standard analytical methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists were used to analyze nutrient composition. Fresh samples were locally purchased from fishers on their landing at the beach early in the morning for nutrient composition analysis. Results show that the value chain is predominantly male-dominated (57.7%), and the majority is of the youth age group (61%). The Shepherd efficiency model revealed that fish marketing activities among fish marketers are highly efficient, with a value higher (119.6%) than 100%. Moisture content was significantly higher in fresh fish (77.58±2.79) and lower in fried fish (3.47±0.1) (p=0.001). There was a significant decrease in protein between the processing methods, with the highest content in fresh fish, 23.49±0.47, and the lowest in smoked fish, 19.49±0.73 (p=0.00). Ash was significantly higher in smoked fish, 14.96±0.60, and lower in fresh fish, 13.25±0.47 (p=0.00). Potassium content was significantly higher in fried fish, 89.25±2.19, and lower in fresh fish, 73.28±1.86 (p=0.00). Iron content was significantly higher in fried fish, 3.88±0.01, as compared to fresh, 3.15±0.00, and smoked fish, 3.15±0.01 (p=0.00). The study concludes that the value chain is simple, involving fishers, middlemen, processors, retailers, and consumers. The marketing activities among the actors were efficient since the market efficiency value exceeded 100% (119.56%). The fish’s nutrient composition constitutes essential macro and micro nutrients. The Department of Fisheries should encourage more players including value addition to strengthen the value chain; the Department of Fisheries should encourage more actors to join the business; there is a need to conduct a comparative study of S. njassae with other species.