ABOUT 1 200 dams in six provinces have been certified for fish stocking, as the Government targets to produce 40 000 tonnes annually by 2025 to improve the livelihoods of people living near water bodies.
The initiative is being implemented under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Strategic Development Plan, which feeds into the National Development Strategy 1.
Other projects such as the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme, Commercial Cage Culture Programme and Fingerling Production are also underway.
While Zimbabwe requires 30 000 tonnes of fish each year, current production stands at 14 000 tonnes.
The director of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Mr Milton Makumbe, said the initiative will create jobs and raise household incomes.
“We target to start producing at least 40 000 tonnes annually by 2025. The development plan has potential to contribute to a robust agriculture sector, complementing efforts towards attaining Vision 2030 through import substitution, food and nutrition security, exports generation, employment creation and raising household incomes,” said Mr Makumbe.
Dam stocking is currently being accelerated countrywide.
“The programme covered 21 dams that were stocked across six provinces (Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West, Matabeleland South, Mashonaland East, Masvingo and Midlands). It is ongoing and expected to continue this year,” he said.
Under the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme, rural communities are encouraged to exploit their water resources.
The Government plans to rope in private players with bias towards youths and women to produce and supply standard fishery equipment under the Commercial Cage Culture Programme.
The Government is also considering expanding post-harvest facilities.
Funds are already available for the construction of fish processing facilities and procurement of refrigerated trucks.
Mutasa district in Manicaland has been selected as the site for the pilot programme to establish the fish processing unit due to the abundance of fish farmers in the area.
The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources was set up in 2021 after the Government realised that the sub-sector has potential to immensely contribute to agriculture. – Sunday Mail
