malvernmugadzikwa
Theseus Shambare
THE Government’s partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), under the Technical Cooperation Programme for fish breeding, is exceeding expectations, with fingerling production at the Henderson Research Station poised to surpass 32 million for the year, significantly exceeding the initial target of 26 million.
The US$500 000 programme, launched in February last year, has modernised Henderson and supports the construction of hatcheries in Masvingo (Makoholi) and Matabeleland South (Matobo).
Key improvements include solar-powered boreholes and provision of specialised transport tanks for efficient fingerling distribution.
In July last year, the programme saw local fish experts and Government officials taking part in an exchange programme in Zambia.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Department director Mr Milton Makumbe told The Sunday Mail that the target of becoming a US$1 billion sub-sector by 2030 is now becoming increasingly feasible.
“A total of 16 979 368 fingerlings have been produced during the first half of the production season to date.
“It is projected that the second half of the season will yield 14 160 632 fingerlings, giving a total of 32 000 000 for the year as we come to a production close by April or May, with only four months dedicated to production,” said Mr Makumbe.
Nile tilapia remains the dominant species, accounting for the vast majority of fingerling production, with a projected 28 million fingerlings expected to be produced this year.
“These are popular due to fast growth rate, high fertility, disease resistance and wide temperature tolerance. This is because all commercial hatcheries are mainly breeding Nile tilapia. The fingerlings destined for aquaculture have been stocked in cages (5 206 868) and ponds (11 772 500), whilst those destined for the wild have been utilised for dam-stocking initiatives,” added Mr Makumbe.
Other breeds include catfish, rainbow trout, Mozambique tilapia and red-breasted bream.
Under the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme, 32 dams have been stocked to date with 292 500 fingerlings.
The projected harvest from the dams after one year of stocking is 35,1 tonnes, which will be able to sustain 10 968 people at the current consumption rate of 3,2 kilogrammes per person per year.
The Government targets to start producing at least 60 000 tonnes annually by 2025. This is the national demand.
Zimbabwe Fish Producers Association vice chairperson Mr Sokonia Kaitano said decentralisation of fingerling hubs was crucial to achieve national goals.
“Currently, fingerlings are being accessed in Kariba and Bindura; this increases rates of mortality, and the costs involved are too high, making the business unviable.
‘‘We need decentralised hubs in all fish-producing areas,” Mr Kaitano said.
The Government is rolling out other fingerling distribution hubs countrywide under another initiative with FAO — the Fish for Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (FISH4ACP) programme.
A fingerling distribution hub is a centralised location that collects, sorts and distributes high-quality fingerlings to fish farmers or other stakeholders.
This improves access to fingerlings and efficiency, and promotes sustainable aquaculture practices.
This has seen pilot projects being launched in Masvingo and Manicaland provinces recently.
Online Reporter