Story by Tendai Munengwa
HARARE – GOVERNMENT efforts to grow the fish industry to 60 000 tonnes annually has received a major boost after the handover of a refrigerated truck by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to local fish farmers this Thursday.
The development is expected to revolutionise post-harvest fish handling as part of a broader regional initiative to promote fish production among member states.
“We have found that Zimbabwe and six other countries in the region are taking fish farming seriously so we mobilised resources to secure this truck. This is the beginning of our programme to assist the fish industry. We want women and youths to cut post-harvest costs,” SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, Ms. Angele N’tumba said.
With over 20 000 tonnes of fish now being produced annually, Zimbabwe’s fish farming industry is experiencing steady growth.
The new refrigerated truck is expected to maintain the hygiene and freshness of fish from farms to markets, enabling farmers to reduce losses and improve earnings.
“We are happy to receive such great support from SADC, the refrigerated truck will go a long way to assist farmers to move the fish, keeping them fresh from source to market,” Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Fish Producers Association, Garikai Munatsire said.
“Our fish industry has grown bigger in the past three years to up to 20 000 tonnes to date, but we are aiming to produce 60 000 tonnes. With SADC coming on board with such equipment to cut post-harvest cost, we can start eying the export market again,” the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri said.
The Second Republic has also intensified local efforts through the Presidential Fisheries Programme, which has distributed millions of fingerlings to boost aquaculture, particularly in rural areas, as a means to enhance food and nutritional security and provide sustainable livelihoods.
With regional support and strong government commitment, Zimbabwe’s fish industry is poised for further growth and is one step closer to becoming a regional aquaculture hub.
