ABSTRACT
Fish culture was introduced to Cameroon in 1948, but traditional fish culture systems have failed to guarantee rural farmers food security, increased incomes or a diversified income. Defined as Temperate Aquaculture Zone of Cameroon, the mean water temperature is 23 degree, and average yearly rainfall is about 2,700 mm. The soil, which is of predominantly volcanic origin, is clay loam to sandy loam with pH of 6.5 to 8.5. The three-fold value of poultry droppings in fish culture as direct food, autotrophic and heterotrophic substrates have been substantiated by a number of researchers. The internal rate of return was greater than 30%, and much more favourable than either poultry farming or fish culture taken individually, and than other agricultural activities generally, or than export crops such as cocoa and coffee in particular. Preliminary results of farmer-oriented integrated aquaculture livestock production systems in Cameroon indicate that the technology is both technically and economically efficient, and causes little or no damage to the environment.
