Big returns for fish farmers

05 Mar, 2021 - 00:03 0 Views
Big returns for fish farmers FARMERS who have embraced commercial fish farming are reaping huge profits as there is high demand for the product

The ManicaPost

Lovemore Kadzura

Rusape Correspondent 

FARMERS who have embraced commercial fish farming are reaping huge profits as there is high demand for the product.

However, production is still low in the country.

Zimbabwe requires 66 000 tonnes of fish per year, yet it is producing only 33 000 tonnes.

The deficit is being covered by imports.

Recognising the importance and impact of fishing on the agriculture sector, President Mnangagwa recently added a Fisheries Department in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Resettlement. 

Headlands Small-Scale Farmers’ Association chairman, Mr Innocent Magutakuona, whose organisation has over 300 farmers who are into fish farming, said they have struck gold as there is high demand for fish on the market and added that aquaculture is transforming lives and economic well-being of communities.

“Fish has a huge market in Zimbabwe and beyond, so people must seize the opportunity and earn themselves good profits. There is huge potential for aquaculture growth and development in the country. 

“Fish farming is not capital extensive and does not require vast tracks of land. Even those in urban areas can do fish farming in swimming pools. A farmer only requires a pond and feeds to kick-start fish farming. Feeds are in the form of domestically available protein such as chicken and pig droppings, soya and sugar beans. It is not true that feeds from companies are the only recommended ones.

“In Headlandswe trained 300 farmers who are now rearing fish. The association partnered with Practical Action and Profeedsto purchase dam liners and facilitate fish farming training. 

“So far 40 ponds have been filled with 2 000 tilapia bream fingerlings which will translate to millions of fish as they rapidly multiply. Villagers, farmers, schools and churches have embraced fish farming and we have covered eight wards,” said Mr Magutakuona.

Mrs Theresa Mandireva said keeping fish has changed her lifestyle and she has migrated from being a fulltime house wife to an economically active villager, earning decent income for her family.

“Fish farming has changed my life for good. I am now an economically active woman, contributing income to my family. We were skeptical during training, but weare now reaping the fruits of our project. My neighbours are my biggest customers, but as time goes on, I want to put more ponds and widen my market base,” explained Mrs Mandireva.

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