Report on Scoping Trip to Liberia in Regards to the Aqua Culture Project
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A scoping team consisting of Karen Duca and Savior Badohu visited the Central African Research Institute (CARI) in March, 2018 in order to assess the viability of a suggested aquaculture project as a capacity building effort with CARI. More specifically, the team sought to 1) collect data for an environmental assessment (photos of the water source, size of planned pond, etc.), 2) get a better understanding of the financial accounting system at CARI in order to determine how to set up financial flows and accountability 3) determine what kind of equipment would be needed for the aquaculture lab and determine ease of access to such equipment in Liberia, and, 4) determine professional development needs for CARI staff and University of Cuttington students.
The team determined that there is potential for a viable aquaculture effort at CARI that would not only provide the basis for aquaculture research but, due to its commercial applications, could be self-sustaining over time. The capacity building effort would costs approximately US$50,000 for infrastructure, equipment, training, and initial supplies and would provide a research platform for returning BHEARD scholars. There are however some key constraints that will have to be carefully examined and resolved, namely, the absence of feed processing machine, nets, pond cleaning equipment, aerating equipment, generator, spring balance, pond quality maintenance equipment, and other reagents and consumables as well as unknown or unreliable supply systems that have to be clarified and resolved. Further development of the plan will continue before a final recommendation will be made.
Link to the full report: /bheard/Liberia CARI Report March 2017.pdf
