PISCICULTURE TRAINING & VISIT SYSTEM IN STATE OF MATO GROSSO, BRAZIL

Abstract

The technology level of small-scale fish farmers in state of Mato Grosso is low, and the amount of agents of technical assistance and rural extension services is still scarce. Aiming to level Mato Grosso rural extension agents’ technical knowledge in pisciculture, Embrapa and local partners conducted several periodical training modules using the Training and Visit method. Moreover, a small-scale tambaqui fish farm was assisted by a rural extension agent in order to assess the effect of training on the performance of a fish farm. Ten training modules were conducted, and the assistance provided to the small-scale pisciculture property yielded a production increment of 34.7%. Continuous training improves rural extension agents’ performance and increases fish farms productivity.