Story by Tendai Munengwa
THE Presidential Fisheries Scheme has boosted production and empowered rural communities, with the latest survey showing that over 8 000 families have ventured into the sub-sector, up from 1 500 three years ago.
Fish and aquaculture production is fast becoming big business in Zimbabwe, with stakeholders including farmers, developmental partners and government officials converging in Harare this Tuesday to share ideas and map the way forward on how to boost fish production in the country.
“We are having this symposium with players in the fish industry taking stock of production level and challenges facing farmers, but of major interest is the findings of a research on the fish industry dubbed the Frame Survey, which indicates that there is significant growth of the sector. Out of 60 000 tonnes target set by government, smallholder farmers have contributed 8 000 tonnes and we are hopeful that from the 35 000 tonnes the country is producing, we will hit the target of 60 000 tonnes by 2030,” Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mr Milton Makumbe stated.
“We are doing very well, and I want to thank our farmers for taking the President’s call and initiative. It is paying dividends, and we hope by 2030 we will achieve the food and nutritional security,” Chairman of Zimbabwe Fish Producers Association, Mr Garikai Munatsirei weighed in.
Fish production not only benefits the farmer but has also opened great opportunities for players across the fish value chain.
“We are complementing government as service and market providers. We have projects for smallholder farmers, and we give them fish start-ups and support them technically and we are the off-takers. So, we are in support of the whole-of-government approach where President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa has set the tone for the country to achieve a billion-dollar fish industry by 2030,” Group Head Finance at Lake Harvest, Mr Humphrey Chitate said.
Suppliers in the sector are also benefiting from the growing demand for aquaculture infrastructure. Mr Munyaradzi Manyeza, a sales representative with Plastic Hub, said his company is working with farmers to ensure quality materials are used in constructing fish ponds.
“On the technical side, fish production has provided us with opportunities to work with farmers on the construction of fish ponds. To avoid the risk of losses by farmers, we are working with the government to ensure farmers get the right materials for their ponds,” he said.
Officials say the Presidential Fisheries Scheme is playing a key role in Zimbabwe’s ambition to develop a US$1 billion fish and aquaculture industry by 2030, while strengthening national food and nutrition security.
