Background
Aquaculture production is increasing, but production is not yet satisfactory in the region. Aquaculture enterprises have low production efficiency and experience episodic production crashes. There is a need to part with the past, restructure the sector and set it on a well-defined development trajectory that will sustain or accelerate aquaculture sector in the region. The question now arises as to how value chain actors in the aquaculture sector need to be positioned to harness the opportunities and what enabling environments are missing to enable business in aquaculture sector. The FAO is supporting this meeting to bring in the aspect of sectoral development, advocacy and policy dialogue.
Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) under Nepad Fish Node with upport from Southern Africa Network for Biosciences (SANBio) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) have been implementing a regional training course since 2017 dubbed Transformation of Aquaculture, Fish Processing and Value Addition in the SADC Region AQUATRANS. AQUATRANS aims at providing a platform of knowledge and skills sharing among stakeholders for strengthened capacity in aquaculture management, business development, investment and technologies and thus contributing towards sustainable aquaculture expertise in the region.
The goal of this meeting is to promote entrepreneurship ventures in aquaculture value chains to promote increased incomes for food and nutrition security in Africa. Capacities of starting and existing Aquabusinessess and mainly those owned by youth, remain main challenge. This does not mean only to produce or process quality fish for right market in profitable way, but also to growth. Capacities are therefore not the only binding constraint for the development of aquabusinesses in SADC Region and more holistic approach need to be take into account to change the current situation.

Rationale
Therefore, the theme of this meeting Aqua-preneurship for industrial development and Job creation to ensure market-led sustainable improvements in the aquaculture value chain in the region. The theme is responding to 2019 theme for SADC A Conducive Environment for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development, Increased Intra-Regional Trade and Job Creation.
The training will be divided into two event, 1) one day round table to discuss aquaculture management and development needs assessment for SADC member states, enabling environments and Investment opportunities; 2) four day training workshop focusing on improving the management and business capacities of the aquapreneurs. Specifically, the five day event will focus on the following subtopics:

1) one day round table to discuss aquaculture management and development needs assessment for SADC member states, enabling environments and Investment opportunities

a. Enabling environment for doing business and enabling the business in aquaculture, evaluation of WB report and understanding the limitations for aquaivest
b. Investing in aquculture. The incentives and measures needed to bring more finance and development into the sector
c. Aquaculture management and development needs assessment for SADC member states
d. Public private partnership in aquaculture lessons learned from countries
e. Advocacy and development of SADC aquainvest platform.

2). Four day training workshop focusing on improving the management and business capacities of the aquapreneurs

a. Aquapreneurship: from production to the product
b. SADC market opportunities and challenges
c. Business Plan development for finance
d. Youth in Aquabusiness: lessons and a way forward

It is envisaged that by the end of the training, participants will have been equipped with skills to enable them to ensure that aquaculture continues play a critical role in economic development and job creation.

Who can Apply
The applicants should be;
Young African aqua/agri-entrepreneurs (not more than 40 years of age) from the SADC region; who have active businesses that support the development of the Aquaculture and Fisheries value chains in any of the SADC member states.

How to Apply
The following should be included in the application process;
Completed application form (Application Form)
Motivation statement of not more than 150 words on how your participation to the AquaTrans 3 will add value to your business.

Funding Opportunity
Limited funding opportunities are available for applicants within the SADC member states that demonstrate high potential to implement skills to be gained from the training course. Funding will include a return air ticket and ground transfers, accommodation and Meals

Submission
Applications must be submitted before 1st November 2019 to the following email addresses:

aqua-training@bunda.luanar.mw; Barbora.Hladka@fao.org; Vasco.Schmidt@fao.org

Nominations will be done before by 30th November 2019.

Applicants should provide business profile, passport copy and complete application form by 1 November, 2019.

For inquiries please write the secretariat at aqua-training@bunda.luanar.mw or Chimwemwe German at chimwemwe@bunda.luanar.mw (+265 999 642 431) with a copy to Priscilla Longwe at priscillalongwe@yahoo.com (+265 999 253 929).

Download: Call For Participation And Application Form for 2019 Aquatrans 3