Government to stock 300 000 fingerlings in dams countrywide
Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
THE people of Zaka have become the latest to benefit from Presidential Fisheries Programme with the government targeting to stock at least 300 000 fingerlings in dams and fishponds across the country.
Siya Dam in Zaka is one of the six water bodies which were each stocked with five thousand fingerlings this Thursday, with the community applauding the Presidential Fisheries Programme for enhancing food and nutrition security.
“We are excited about this project that the government has launched for us, especially in Siya Dam. It is the largest in this area and many people under cooperatives survive on fishing from this dam. Now we are looking forward to more cooperatives which will benefit from this project,” said one of the community members.
Another added, “We are told that the type of these fish fingerlings is one of the best and we are confident that even on the nutrition side as a community we will benefit.”
The government says the programme is targeting all dams across the country, and fish ponds under irrigation business units.
The Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Davis Marapira said, “We are moving across the country stocking tilapia fish fingerlings in our dams. This programme will benefit the community at large though we want them to formulate dam committees that will implement the programme in an organised manner. Again they are going to receive training on aquaculture and fish production.”
Fish farming has become a viable business with several communities and individuals venturing into the initiative through government support under the Presidential Fisheries Programme.
