NEW: Women, youths urged to take up fish farming

Online Reporter

Women and youths should consider taking up aquaculture since local demand for fish outstrips supply by 15 000 tonnes annually, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has said.

Women and youths make up 52 percent and 60 percent of the country’s population, respectively.

SADC PROFISHBLUE (Programme for Improving Fisheries Governance and Blue Economy Trade Corridors) procurement expert Mr Grem Salima said youths and women should take advantage of opportunities in the sector to sustain livelihoods.

He made the remarks while winding off a tour of Mudzi in Mashonaland East recently.

He is part of the SADC team on a mission to introduce the PROFISHBLUE project in Zimbabwe, including preparing relevant Government offices for implementation of the project at country level.

“Fish farming is the way to go, especially for youths and women, particularly now with Government encouraging people to venture into the sector to contribute to the growth of the economy.

“The shortage of fish in the country gives an opportunity for growth, which can help the country stop importing and create jobs while building infrastructure,” he said.

Zimbabwe plans to produce 40 000 tonnes of fish annually by 2025, against an annual requirement of 30 000 tonnes.