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Online Reporter
AT least 40 fish farmers in Shinga village, Mudzi, are set to receive modern cold storage and transport facilities from Government and its international partners.
The Pathfinders Club, an association of Mudzi fish farmers, will get a three-tonne refrigerated truck, an ice-making machine and a cold room.
The move is aimed at increasing productivity and reducing post-harvest losses.
In an interview, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Deputy Minister Davis Marapira said the farmers demonstrated their ability to contribute to rural industrialisation.
“The President’s vision is to industrialise rural communities through initiatives such as fish farming,” he said. “Already we have fish industry in this area of Mudzi and what is left is to develop cold chain. We are going to have refrigerated warehouses and refrigerated cars to be able to transport fish from all the 40 business units in Shinga Ward.”
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East Apolonia Munzverengwi said fisheries transformed livelihoods in the province.
“I want to thank the President for bringing us this programme. This area has been grappling with climate change and no crops can grow in the area,” she said.
“So, by having these projects, our people will have a source of income and this will certainly translate into the development of our communities. This district will never be the same again.”
The donation of cold storage facilities is being supported by SADC under the Programme for Improving Fisheries Governance and Blue Economy (Profishblue).
Representatives from SADC were in the country last year on a mission to introduce the Profishblue project worth US$10,7 million.
Online Reporter