Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
The Fisheries sector has received a major boost after government and its partners launched a fingerlings holding and distribution hub in Masvingo.
The launch of the fingerlings holding and distribution hub at Maponga farm in Masvingo, an initiative led by government in partnership with Food and Agriculture Organisation , under the Fish for African Caribbean and Pacific Countries Project , has come as a major relief that will boost fish production.
“As a fish farmer, I have been doing fisheries projects here, however my biggest challenge was on breeds and accessing fingerlings. This project launched here specifically at at my homestead is going to be a gamechanger for us. Remember this place is a farmer field school centre hence we will be learning about fishing breeding and farming,” said a fish farmer, Ms Rudo Maponga.
“We used to travel long distances to access fingerlings with many times ending up buying any breed available. However now we are poised for growth.We will be able to breed fingerlings and sell them,” said another.
Government’s vision is to ensure growth of the Fisheries sector up to US$1 billion.
“Today’s event of launching the fingerlings distribution hub is a huge step as government moves towards addressing challenges faced by fish farmers. As a country we a targeting for the fish industry to be worth US$1 billion by the year 2030,” highlighted Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Department Director, Mr Milton Makumbe.
Masvingo Minisister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Honorable Ezra Chadzamira explained how the project is fairing within his jurisdiction
“The Province has 38 main dams and a total of 89 fishing cooperatives, 4 289 functional community ponds, and a total of 24 fish ponds stocked this year against a target of 63 ponds. The Province has stocked 7 small dams with a total of 65 500 fingerlings and 31 940 fingerlings in ponds under the Presidential Community Fisheries Program. This must see us developing a vibrant and profitable fishing industry at grassroots level, positively impacting food and nutrition security mix,” he explained.
FAO pledged it’s commitment to supporting government in ensuring communities are food secure.
“As FAO we continue to work with government to ensure communities are food secure. Today we are saying the people of Masvingo have been remembered, this your time to shine,” noted a representative.
The Fisheries sector is among pillars of the agriculture 8.0 model meant to transform rural livelihoods.
