Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare
ZIMBABWE has convened a workshop aimed at aligning its national fisheries and aquaculture strategies and agricultural investment plans with the African Union’s Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (PFRS) and climate change adaptation measures.
The three-day Stakeholders’ Consultative and Validation Workshop, which commenced today in Harare, also seeks to formulate recommendations for the domestication of relevant global instruments.
Officially opening the workshop, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Deputy Minister Davis
Marapira underscored the vital role of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Zimbabwe’s development.
“This gathering is a testament to our collective commitment to harnessing the potential of our fisheries and aquaculture sector for the benefit of our people,” said Deputy Minister Marapira.
He highlighted the sector’s significant contribution to food security, nutrition and livelihoods, particularly in rural communities, while acknowledging the challenges of overfishing, habitat degradation and climate change.
“I would like to extend a warm welcome to our consultants and colleagues from the African Union Commission who are supporting Zimbabwe in aligning its national fisheries and aquaculture policies with the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa,” he said.
Dep Min Marapira further emphasised the vast potential of Zimbabwe’s water bodies for aquaculture development.
“With over 10 700 dams nationwide, Zimbabwe has vast potential to develop its fisheries and aquaculture sector, presenting a significant opportunity for growth and development”.
He pointed to the development of the National Blue Economy Strategy last year as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to sustainable development in the sector.
The workshop is seen as critical in identifying policy gaps and prioritising actions to enhance the sustainability and productivity of Zimbabwe’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Deputy Minister Marapira highlighted the ambitious goal for the sector.
“The fisheries and aquaculture sector is projected to grow into a US$1 billion economy, under the stewardship of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Production Department,” he said, aligning this with President Mnangagwa’s vision for Zimbabwe to become a prosperous upper-middle-income society by 2030.
Aligning national plans with regional and continental frameworks, he said, is crucial to attract investment and unlock opportunities.
African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources director, Mr Rafik Nouaili, conveyed the organisation’s appreciation for Zimbabwe’s commitment.
“Zimbabwe is a key beneficiary of these efforts and we commend its commitment to the sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture,” he said.
“The workshop builds upon previous efforts to harmonise Zimbabwe’s fisheries policies with continental strategies and aims to develop concrete recommendations for the domestication of global instruments and the alignment of national strategies with climate adaptation goals.”
The Government is making efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change through initiatives like the Rural Development 8.0 programme, which includes drilling boreholes and establishing fishponds in villages, as well as investing in dam construction projects like Kunzvi and Gwaai-Shangani Dams.
