Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare [email protected]
ZIMBABWE’S aquaculture sector is undergoing rapid transformation, with the number of fish farmers rising from about 700 to more than 8 000, while pilot distribution hubs have supplied over 400 000 fingerlings to farmers across the country.
The developments were outlined during the Aquaculture Frame Survey Validation Workshop held on Wednesday, where Government officials, development partners, private sector representatives and farmers, met to review findings from the country’s first comprehensive aquaculture survey.
Officials said the expansion of fish farming reflects growing interest in aquaculture as a source of livelihoods, food security and economic growth.
Director for Livestock and Fisheries Production in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Mr Milton Tinashe Makumbe, said the survey had provided the country with critical baseline data to guide the sector’s development.
“When we began this process in 2024, one of the greatest challenges we faced was the absence of baseline data for aquaculture,” said Mr Makumbe.
“Together, these efforts have given us, for the first time, a comprehensive national dataset on aquaculture. This is a landmark achievement, which allows us to see clearly where interventions are needed, where opportunities lie, and how best to support farmers and stakeholders across the value chain.”
He said the findings were already informing interventions aimed at strengthening production systems, improving market access and enhancing farmers’ technical capacity.
Fish4ACP project co-ordinator Mr Paul Mwera said the sector’s growth reflects the impact of co-ordinated action by Government and development partners.
“The value chain analysis that was done in 2022 gave us a figure of around 700 farmers in Zimbabwe. Now, we are proud to say we have more than 5 000, more than 8 000 farmers. That transformation did not come spontaneously — it came because of the effort that has been put on the ground.”
Mr Mwera said several initiatives had been introduced to tackle key challenges affecting fish farmers, including access to fingerlings, feed and technical knowledge.
Two pilot fingerling distribution hubs established in Manicaland and Masvingo provinces have already supplied more than 400 000 fingerlings to farmers, supporting the expansion of production and improving fish stocks. We have seen more than 400 000 fingerlings being moved through these hubs. This is quite promising and we hope this idea of hubs will be scaled up to other parts of the country,” said Mr Mwera.
He added that efforts were underway to address feed shortages and high production costs, including research into alternative fish feed sources such as the black soldier fly.
Training initiatives, including the Aquaculture Business School, are also being rolled out to enhance farmers’ technical and business management skills.
Authorities say the sector’s rapid growth aligns with national development goals under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2, which prioritise food security, job creation and sustainable resource management.
Mr Makumbe said the availability of reliable data from the aquaculture frame survey would enable policymakers to craft evidence based strategies to support continued sector growth.
“With this data, we can now design evidence-based policies, strengthen institutional roles and build a full value chain approach that ensures aquaculture contributes meaningfully to food security, livelihoods and economic growth in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Stakeholders attending the workshop said continued collaboration between Government, research institutions, farmers and the private sector would be essential in unlocking the full potential of Zimbabwe’s aquaculture industry.
