Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare
Herald Correspondent
MORE than 9,7 million free tilapia (Nile breams) fingerlings have been produced as the country reaches the peak of aquaculture expansion under the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme, signalling accelerated progress in harnessing water resources for food security and rural industrialisation.
The Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Department has produced 9 756 918 tilapia fingerlings during the 2025–2026 season, marking a major milestone in the Second Republic’s drive to transform fisheries into a strategic pillar of the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy.
On that trajectory, the set target of 10 million fingerlings under the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme by May will likely be achieved, further boosting dam and pond stocking programmes across the country.
Fish stocking is done during warm conditions from August and halted during winter, starting the first week of May when temperatures drop, with tilapia (breams) considered the most ideal species for intensive production due to their adaptability and rapid growth.
The initiative is designed to boost fish production, enhance food security and improve livelihoods, especially in rural areas where communities are increasingly embracing aquaculture as a viable commercial activity.
At least 1 220 dams have been certified for stocking nationwide, while irrigation business units, youth business units, school business units, village business units and registered individuals are benefiting from the programme.
With support from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), communities are receiving training from agricultural experts in sustainable fish production in both ponds and dams, strengthening grassroots technical capacity.
The expansion of fisheries dovetails with Zimbabwe’s broader water development thrust — which includes dam construction, borehole drilling and irrigation modernisation — aligning domestic implementation with continental priorities on water security and inclusive growth recently underscored at the African union summit in Addis Ababa.
In an interview, Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Department director in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Mr Milton Makumbe, said the milestone reflected steady growth under the Presidential scheme.
“We have produced 9 756 918 tilapia fingerlings so far this season and we are confident that we will meet, if not exceed, the 10 million target by May,” said Mr Makumbe.
He said participation in fish farming continued to rise in response to Government support .
“The number of fish farmers has increased from 7 445 in the 2023–2024 season to 8 101 in the 2024–2025 season. Functional fish ponds have grown from 9 974 to 12 938, demonstrating the rapid expansion of aquaculture across provinces,” he said.
