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Sifelani Tsiko-Innovations Editor
Zimbabwe has joined six other regional countries under an aquatic food systems research organisation to boost production.
WorldFish aims to develop a superior broodstock of tilapia to boost productivity and enhance food security.
In a report, WorldFish said Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Madagascar and Comoros – all SADC members – are implementing the initiative.
This will reduce the prevalence of foreign-sourced varieties in the region’s aquaculture industry and ultimately increase overall production volumes of farmed fish while safeguarding local aquatic biodiversity.
“The SADC region has seen a rise in aquaculture output, largely due to the use of non-native aquatic species, which poses a risk to the region’s biodiversity,” WorldFish strategic communications specialist David Wardell said in a report.
The plan to improve the quality of the tilapia fish breed to enhance the competitiveness of its value chain was approved by SADC ministers responsible for agriculture, food security, fisheries, and aquaculture in 2017.
Each of the participating countries has established a breeding plan for the genetic improvement program that sources tilapia seed from hatcheries that use indigenous wild stock as broodstock.
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WorldFish noted that indigenous tilapia farming that is already taking place in the SADC region has shown “poor productivity without genetic improvement, hindering its commercial use.”
The problem is particularly difficult in a region where the fish supply deficit is more than 570 000 metric tonnes which has, among other supply chain effects, fuelled overfishing of wild fish stocks.
“Enhancing these indigenous species is crucial for sustainable development and biodiversity conservation in southern Africa,” Wardell said.
Zimbabwe has embarked on an ambitious aquaculture programme that aims to address food insecurity, unemployment, and income generation.
The national demand for fish is estimated at 60 000 tonnes per year while total production is approximately 25 000 tonnes, of which 15 000 tonnes come from aquaculture while 10 000 tonnes from capture fisheries.
Online Reporter