Branton Matondo
With majority of Zimbabwean artisanal and commercial fish farmers facing torrid challenges, a fresh tilapia value chain strategy driven by FISH4ACP, global fish farming pusher Organization of African Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) with the help of European Union and a German based entity was launched by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Zimbabwe in Mutare.
The project was introduced as a way to curb malnutrition, hunger, achieve better and sustainable agro-business.
The official implementation of the strategy dubbed ‘Strategy Launch for the Sustainable Development of the Tilapia value chain in Zimbabwe’ was graced by dignitaries from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, the Agricultural and rural advisory services department, fisheries and aquatic resources management, fish farming community and international representatives.
Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development representative Milton Makumbe said Zimbabwe will benefit a lot from its inclusion in OACPS grouping.
“We feel very honoured to be among the OACPS groupings as Zimbabwe seeks to implement FISH4ACP programme. Government fully recognises the role of fish farming in addressing food nutrition, employment creation and empowerment of rural vicinities. The emancipation of tilapia production will be a firm step in the achievement of National Development Strategy (NDS) 1,” said Makumbe.
He added that government is aware of the low fish consumption in the country and this has had negative impact on fish market movement.
“Government notes concerns of the low levels of fish consumption in the country as highlighted by 2.6 kg per capita. It’s a sad reality looking at the fact that Zimbabwe has vast water bodies which can be utilized for fish production,” he added.
Fish4ACP Programme Management Unit Focal Person for Zimbabwe Yaiza Dronkers said the strategy is a package meant to target various objectives from value addition to sustainable production.
“The areas that we have now concluded are increase of economic performance, value chain in Zimbabwe and ensuring inclusivity and social sustainability. OACPS will pay particular attention to small and medium scale fish farmers who have the ability to support economic boom.
“FISH4ACP is a five year initiative that is driven by OACPS and FAO is the implementing organization. European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) are co-funding the projects in Zimbabwe and the 11 other value chains,” said Dronkers.
With Zimbabwe targeting 14 000 metric tons of fish for both local consumption and export, the strategy is geared towards value addition of the most popular fish in Zimbabwe, tilapia.
Zimbabwe Fish Producers Association (ZFPA) chairperson Garikai Munatsirei told TellZim that in as much as the strategy is launched and in motion, government should prioritize rectification of challenges facing fish farmers.
“The fish farming industry is facing a lot of challenges that affect final product sale. Fish produce ends up expensive because inputs and other related costs are high,” said Munatsirei.
He added that government should address regulations guiding fish farming sector.
“When a fish farmer is a victim of theft, culprits should be awarded the same as someone who has stolen cattle. Fish theft is the same as stock theft because a lot of inputs are invested into the business.” he said.
The event also marked the signing of Mutare Declaration for ‘Strategy Launch for the Sustainable Development of Tilapia value chain in Zimbabwe’.
Signatories were Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development representative Mr Milton Ncube, Chair for Farmed Tilapia Value Chain Working Group Mr Sokonia Kaitano, Vice Chairperson for Tilapia Value Chain Working Group Afra Nanhanga and Zimbabwe Women and Youth in Agribusiness Trust (ZWAYAT) Champion Mrs Cecilia Muchechesi.
Muchechesi said the opportunity is one in a million for young women and youth to venture into fish farming.
The event was also buttressed by two field trips to Manicaland based fish farming projects.
The first field was slated for Spring Glory farm coordinated by John Simon while the second one was at Haggai farm managed by Godfrey Chironda.
Haggai farm specialises in the farming of black soldier fly larvae which is a tried and tested organic fish feed.
