Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare in BULAWAYO
Government, in partnership with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), on Wednesday launched the national hatchery management guidelines in Bulawayo, marking a decisive step toward strengthening Zimbabwe’s aquaculture sector through improved fish seed quality, supply and traceability.
The launch, held at a local Hotel in Bulawayo, comes as the Government accelerates efforts to develop a modern, commercially viable aquaculture industry capable of supporting national food and nutrition security, rural livelihoods and the drive toward a US$1 billion fisheries economy under Vision 2030.
Officiating at the ceremony, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Deputy Minister Davis Marapira, said the new guidelines will bring order, standardisation and scientific rigour to a sector previously operating in a fragmented manner.
“This morning’s launch marks a significant milestone in our collective journey. For years, the fisheries and aquaculture sector lacked a coordinated system for producing quality fingerlings,” he said.
“These guidelines now set a national benchmark that all hatcheries can follow, ensuring we deliver healthy, traceable and high-performing fingerlings to farmers.”
The guidelines were developed under the Government–FAO Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP), following extensive consultations with hatchery operators, researchers, private sector actors and development partners.
They address long-standing gaps in broodstock management, breeding practices, biosecurity, record-keeping and genetics traceability.
“Today we are not merely launching a document; we are unveiling a tool for transformation,” Deputy Minister Marapira said.
“This will lower production costs, improve yields, strengthen community fisheries under the Presidential Rural Development Programme 8.0 and solidify our path toward a vibrant aquaculture economy.”
FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and Representative in Zimbabwe, Dr Patrice Takoukam Talla, said the guidelines are grounded in evidence and respond directly to challenges identified in FAO’s 2021 FISH4ACP value-chain analysis.
“Zimbabwe has over 10 000 dams with huge aquaculture potential, but this potential must be matched with the right systems,” he said.
“For years, hatcheries operated without structured breeding programmes, increasing the risk of inbreeding and low productivity. These guidelines provide practical, science-based tools that will strengthen hatchery operations, improve fingerling quality and support inclusive growth.”
As part of the same programme, the Government and FAO are establishing five decentralised breeding sites to increase farmers’ access to affordable, quality fingerlings.
Three of these have already been completed. These include Henderson Fisheries Unit in Mashonaland Central — now solarised and stocked with 1 735 Nile tilapia breeders; Makoholi in Masvingo, where five ponds and a biosecurity fence have been constructed; and Matopos in Matabeleland South, stocked with 525 male and 140 female breeders.
The Government has also drilled boreholes at all sites, with full solarisation completed at Matopos.
The centres are expected to start producing certified fingerlings by mid-December, with combined output expected to reach 10 million fingerlings annually.
However, national demand stands at more than 150 million fingerlings per year — prompting the Government to call for expanded private-sector participation and decentralised distribution hubs.
Pilot hubs in Masvingo and Mutasa have already shown that farmers save up to 40 percent in production costs when fingerlings are sourced closer to their communities due to reduced transport costs and lower mortality rates.
Dr Talla reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to supporting Zimbabwe’s aquaculture development, including legal reform, capacity building, value-chain strengthening and inclusive participation by women and youth.
The launch is expected to catalyse further investment in hatchery development, research and extension services as Zimbabwe positions aquaculture as a key driver of rural industrialisation and food security.
Bongani Ndlovu