The ManicaPost
EnacyMapakame Business Correspondent
Zimbabwe has the potential to become one of the region’s biggest fish producers with a vibrant aqua-culture in the SADC region, analysts have said.
Despite being landlocked, Zimbabwe holds approximately 60 percent of the dammed water in the SADCregion and has the largest fresh water fish farm in the whole of Africa. The sectorhas also generated interest among the emerging small scale entrepreneurs who are seeing growth opportunities.
Additionally, the country has a suitable climate to drive a vibrant aqua-culture that contributes significantly to GDP. Already, the sector is showing signs of improvement since the establishment of the Zimbabwe Fish Producers Association in 2016.
Annual production is estimated at 9 000 metric tonnes making Zimbabwe the seventh largest tilapia producer in Africa. But brokerage firm IH Securities contends, right policies remain key in achieving this, although the sector holds much potential in the economic turnaround drive.
“Aquaculture can be developed into a major industry in Zimbabwe with right policies and strategies,” said IH in their Zimbabwe Agriculture Sector Report 2019.
“Fish farming continues to grow on the strengthof smallholder interest in pond-based fish farming and increasing interest from various Government Ministries although co-ordination of policy remains a challenge given the multiplicity of regulatory agencies involved in the fish industry,” said IH .
Globally, fish farming is one of the fastest growing agricultural industry, which plays a key role in feeding an increasing world population, as fish can be produced more efficiently and cost effectively than most meat proteins with the highest food conversion ratios as they produce more protein per kilogram of feed. – BH24
