With more than 20 years of experience in supporting fish farming in intertropical areas, the APDRA already contributed to establish fish farms complexes of thousands of fish farmers and rice farmers via the development projects conducted in Ivory Coast, Guinea, Cameroun, Madagascar and other sub-Saharan African countries. The APDRA also currently works with more than 4,200 families of fish farmers. Today, in these countries, the rural fish farmers produce fish on a regular, profitable and sustainable basis. Five expertise fields are at the heart of the APDRA mission:

Expertise field n°1:  Support to the producer in putting fish farm systems in place

Thousands of fish farmers have benefited from the support of the APDRA teams in Africa. This assistance has led to synergies between fish farming communities in Ivory Coast, Guinea, Liberia and Madagascar, developing further the activity.

Expertise field n°2: Structuring of professional organizations and running of a network of fish farming professionals

Hundreds of professional groups of fish farmers benefited from the support of the association and multiple federations of fish farmers were reinforced via its intermediary. The Association encourages and supports networks of regional producers.

Expertise field n°3: Production and spreading of a knowledge data-base in the field of rural fish farming

Today, models of fish farming design and fish farming breeding are used as references in many development centers. These models have been supported by the research work of the members (adherent or employed) of the APDRA and its partners and have resulted in many scientific publications. The collaboration with other organizations enabled the validation and refining of the results and choices of the APDRA.

Expertise field n°4: Strengthening of local competences, enhancement of the know-how and professional training of the partners

In 2018, 6 African NGOs of development spread across 5 countries have been supported. 42 fish farming counsellors, specialized in guiding fish farmers in their work have, were working within the framework of projects.

Expertise field n°5: Support to establishing and guiding sector-based politics around the development of fish farming

The Association committed in getting rural fish farming taken into account into the fish farming sector-based politics. The recognition for rural fish farming improved during the past years and, taking into account the considerable economic benefits at a local level, an African government has made it a priority in the development of its fish farming sector.