malvernmugadzikwa
Theseus Shambare
OVER four million free tilapia fingerlings have been distributed nationwide in the January to March period under the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme.
The initiative is aimed at improving food security, nutrition and livelihoods in rural communities by promoting fish farming.
At least 1 200 dams were certified for stocking, while all irrigation business units, youth business units, school business units and village business units are benefitting from the programme.
Communities have been receiving training from the Government and development partners.
Speaking to The Sunday Mail on the sidelines of a recent three-day training workshop organised by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Department (FARD), in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, at Hauna Growth Point in Mutasa, Manicaland, FARD fisheries officer Mrs Chenjemulene Madzivanyika said the distribution was going on smoothly.
“Fingerling distribution is going on well in all provinces,” she said.
“Since January this year, we have distributed a total of 4 357 500 fingerlings. Dam and fishpond stocking is now at its peak as we roll out the programme countrywide to beat our May deadline.
“Usually, stocking is done during warm conditions and we halt the process between May and July due to unfavourable cool temperatures.”
Under the initiative, 24 dams were stocked with fingerlings.
At the same time, 852 fishponds and cages were stocked with fingerlings.
It is believed the aquaculture sector has the potential to become a US$1 billion economy.
This has seen the Government partnering the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations to launch a US$500 000 technical cooperation programme aimed at accelerating fish breeding and production.
The partnership will see the country producing 166 million fingerlings per season, up from the current nine million, according to Prof Jiri.
Zimbabwe has an annual requirement of 60 000 tonnes of fish, while current production stands at around 33 000 tonnes.
Through the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme, it is expected that production will jump to 55 000 tonnes by next year.
Online Reporter