Fishing permits unlock value for women and youths in Masvingo
Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
WOMEN and youths in Masvingo are set to become key players in commercial fishing at Tugwi-Mukosi Dam after receiving fishing permits to venture into the lucrative
business
As the government continues to empower rural communities, women and youths in Masvingo have received fishing permits to venture into commercial fishing at Tugwi Mukosi Dam.
They received their permits during a fish farming field day held at Madzingira homestead in Chivi.
“We want to thank the government for empowering us through these licences, this is a clear demonstration of devolution. We are now beneficiaries of our local resources,” said one of the beneficiaries.
Another added, “Fishing has changed many lives around this area and we are now part of the empowered group. We are now able to fend for our families hence we appreciate this development.”
The government pledged to continue supporting fish farming projects in line with the Second Republic’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
“As Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife we were mandated by President Emerson Mnangagwa to empower communities through ensuring that they benefit from their natural resources. Today we are giving licences to our youths in Chivi that they venture into commercial fishing and we will again as leaders assist in identifying markets,” said the Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Honourable John Paradza.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira said, “Under the agriculture 8.0 model fish farming is one the critical elements hence we are supporting fishpond farming including ensuring every village with a community garden has a fish pond.”
Meanwhile, the Madzingira family is running a successful fish farming project which has become a lucrative business venture within a year.
Mrs Sarudzai Madzingira said, “We started this project last year and from these four fish ponds we estimate that we have got more than 10 000 fish. We have been getting technical support from the government and we are looking forward to working with other villagers.”
Women empowerment programmes are a government priority dovetailing with the drive towards an upper middle-income
society by 2030.
