TABLE 4. Annual costs and returns for small-scale production of Tilapia, some common agricultural crops and livestock in Jamaica. The practice of fish polyculture can increase yield with no addi- tional feeding. Different species of fish can be stocked to exploit the various feeding niches of the pond environment. The classic example of fish polyculture is carp farming as practiced by the Chinese. More recently tilapia have been cultured in combination with freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and Chinese carps. Integrated systems make the optimal use of limited farm resources. Shang and Costa-Pierce (1983) point out the economic benefits of integrated farming. These types of operations can usually lower the costs of feed and/or fertilizer. The productivity per unit of land can be increased, labor used more efficiently, and-although necessitating more capital-the productivity is relatively higher. With skillful management, integrated farming increases the chances of turning a profit when compared with single commodity production. Perspectives on Aquaculture Development The first part of this paper has outlined some of the economic, sociocultural, and biotechnical factors which affect the directions of aquaculture development. Further elaboration of this outline is necessary before proceeding with technology transfer. A set of guidelines or a methodological framework for the design and implementation of aquaculture development projects is provided below. Initially project goals and objectives should be clearly defined within the context of national development priorities. Some of the reasons for undertaking aquaculture development include: increasing food production (especially fish protein), expanding foreign exchange earning capacity, import substitution, improv- ing the quality of life of the rural poor by addressing the prob- lems of under- or unemployment, and balancing growth. Other reasons are enhancement of wild fish stocks, sports, recreation, and production of industrial fishery products. Pollnac et al. (1982) have developed a tool for aquaculture development involving a structure of decisions, each of which re- quires information and assessment (Fig. 1). The reader should understand that conditions at each step must be satisfied before proceeding to the next decision point. The strength of the model is summarized by the term biosocioeconomic, indicating that the final cost/benefit assessment should be a composite of biotechni- cal, socio-cultural, and economic factors. 140 A key issue affecting the willingness of small farmers to accept an innovation is the prevalent form of land tenure. Land tenure will also have an influence on the organization of production. It is useful to know the type of ownership or lease: its duration, condi- tions of use, methods for sale, use of auction or lottery, rent possibilities, and procedures for inheritance (Peterson, 1982). In the Eastern Caribbean, land can be held by freehold, leasehold, and multiple tenancy ("family land"). The Role of Governments A national economic development policy which gives priority to improving the lot of small farmers and fishermen is essential if a government is serious about strengthening its country's food security. Commitment must go beyond mere discussion of in- tegrated, sustainable development to direct manifestations of the requisite political will. This can be accomplished by the creation of the appropriate economic and social conditions to allow development to proceed. These include policy decisions, staff, facilities, inputs, and services. Government financial structures and policies (direct subsidies, supervised low-interest loans, in- puts, or tax relief) can play a critical role during the introduction of aquaculture as shown in the case of the Jamaican inland fisheries project. Governments face the problem of expanded bureaucracies which tend to fragment development concerns into their various disciplines with each agency responsible for managing a particular resource. The broad, long-term goals of sustainable development are often supplanted by political expediency in the short term. Governments also face the "problem" of dealing with the "alphabet soup" of donor agencies. These aid organizations often send short-term teams to assess the need for and develop a technology package. This short-term interaction between donor- funded project personnel and government officials can be blamed for many of the failures associated with these projects. Such overwhelming support by the multitude of donor agencies also tends to discourage local initiatives and the development of local expertise. Governments should strive to develop technically competent and socially sensitive local individuals to avoid the pit- falls of the majority of aid agency projects. Another reason development projects fail is the lack of trained managers able to convey the innovation. The development of an extension service (software) should proceed in tandem with the PROCEEDINGS of the CARIBBEAN FOOD CROPS SOCIETY-VOL. XX Tilapia (1 ha) Vegetable & Root Crops (1 ha) Livestock Subsidized Independent Sugar Sweet Negro Red Green 30-Hog 1000- 1981 1982 Cane Cassava Yam Beans Corn Unit Broiler Unit Total Costs, excluding Labor (J$1000) 6.6 11.7 2.3 1.4 16.6 1.5 2.2 15.2 16.7 Net Return(JS1000) to: Land, Labor & Management 6.9 4.3 1.1 2.6 5.5 8.0 2.9 2.8 2.0 Labor and Management 5.9 3.3 0 1.6 4.5 7.0 1.9 2.6 1.9 Net Requirement (Man-Days) 81 99 158 86 336 232 138 45 23 Net Return per Unit of Labor (J$/man-day) 65 22 Neg. 17 8 30 12 25 9 Crop Duration (weeks) 15 15 52 52 26 26 18 26 13 Source: Popma, et.al (1984)