Chronicle Editor
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
The Hwange Local Board (HLB) has set its sights on embarking on a fish breeding project as part of its efforts to improve its revenue base.
Fish farming, also known as aquaculture, is the practice of rearing fish and other water-based organisms in controlled environments such as tanks and ponds for food production. It is a rapidly growing industry that plays a crucial role in meeting the increasing global demand for food.
Zimbabwe boasts one of the largest fish farming operations in Africa as it has a notable quantity of dam water, as well as desirable climatic conditions, for aquaculture to thrive. In their recent newsletter, HLB chairperson, Councillor Morrison Mafa said there was a need for the local authority to avoid over-relying on rates by initiating different income-generating projects.
“We need to look at various revenue streams to augment our coffers and refrain from relying on rates. One project, which quickly comes to mind is fish breeding. We have thought of taking it up first although we have others, which we can also pursue such as having a truck stop,” he said.
A special committee for the fish project has already been put in place. The committee is chaired by Ward 2 councillor, Fani Chirwa with the proportional representative councillor, Chiratidzo Mdimba deputising her while Ward 3 councillor, Bryn Chikumbo is a committee member.
Clr Mafa said he was positive that once the project takes off, they will never go wrong.“Fish is always in demand and people consume it every day. We are assured of a sustainable revenue generation project because the fish farming business is proving to be a very profitable business to operate in the country,” he said.
He said the demand for fish was increasing as people wanted to try a different type of meat, which is not chicken, beef or pork. The annual demand for fish in Zimbabwe is estimated to be 40 000 tonnes per annum. Clr Mafa said Hwange has also seen a significant increase in Chinese nationals due to an upsurge of coal mining companies being run by the Asians as well with some being involved in power generation projects.
China is one of the world’s main seafood producers and consumers and one of the Chinese’s most common traditions is to eat a whole fish as part of their dinner. He said the provision of readily available fresh fish produce will give HLB an edge over their competitors who will be located a distance from the market.
HLB Spatial Planning and Land Management acting director, Mr Themba Sibanda said the council has already identified a site for the fish project and plans to start construction are underway.“We have reserved 2 000 square metres in the Don Bosco area for the fish project. This area has suffered from massive land degradation as a result of illegal brick moulding activities to the extent that it is now littered with pits,” he said.
He said setting up of the fish project would be one of the many ways of moving out illegal brick moulders and rehabilitating the area. Mr Sibanda said the number of ponds to be constructed at the site will depend on the proposed size of the pools.
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