Tinaye Agere
Theseus Shambare
THE Government’s efforts to promote fish farming as a viable business venture are bearing fruit after a group of 16 farmers in Macheke successfully expanded their project from 19 to 22 stocked fish ponds.
Speaking at a fish field day in Macheke on Friday, Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Department Director Mr Milton Makumbe said the project was part of the Presidential rural development programme, which aims to establish fish ponds in every village.
“This programme is in line with the national vision as advanced by President Mnangagwa for Zimbabwe to become a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society by 2030,” he said.
“The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development through the Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Production Department (FARD) is confident that the strategy of imparting knowledge and skills on fish farming to all provinces, districts, villages and households will greatly improve adoption in our communities.”
During the event, the host group named Taiti harvested at least 550kgs of Tilapia fish from which they sold 280kg on the day.
Taiti group have a total of 33 fish ponds, having stocked 22. The group has 16 farmers, seven males and nine females.
Government promised to assist the farmers with the installation of perimeter fence and borehole drilling.
Online Reporter