livestock

F
ish farming is a livestock
enterprise in its own right and
must be developed into a fullyfledged
agricultural industry in
Zimbabwe. This was highlighted at the
launch of the Zimbabwe Fish
Producers' Association (ZFPA) at
Exhibition Park on March 17, which
attracted a turnout of 206, eager to
find out more about fish production.
The formation of ZFPA under the
umbrella of LMAC brings aquaculture
formally into agriculture as part of the
livestock sub-sector.
The establishment of ZFPA comes as freshwater fish farm in Africa but less for human consumption. Aquaculture
Zimbabwe works to develop a fish than 5% of the 400,000 hectares is a form of commercial farming that is
capacity building strategy, under the suitable for inland aquaculture are non-consumptive in its use of water
EU-funded SmartFish programme. In a being used for fish production. and can be integrated into crop
project co-implemented by FAO, OIC Currently concentrated in commercial production or other livestock farming.
SmartFish is working with the ministry tilapia operations on Lakes Kariba, Fish farming has an important role to
of agriculture, mechanization and Chivero and Darwendale and rainbow play in Zimbabwe, in drought
irrigation to develop the country's trout farming around Nyanga, mitigation, agricultural production for
aquaculture potential, so that a q u a c u l t u r e r e m a i n s l a r g e l y sustainable livelihoods and food
Zimbabwe can also reap the benefits undeveloped. security, as well as contributing to
of the global Blue Revolution.
economic development through
“Fish farming in Zimbabwe is still in its processed fish exports.
Aquaculture—the world's fastest infancy,” Gerry McCollum, chairman Aquaculture is the fastest growing
growing food industry—can be of ZFPA noted at the launch of the agricultural industry globally.
developed into a major industry in association. “Fish is an industry that Fish have the highest food conversion
landlocked Zimbabwe at both small- people can get involved in and realise ratios - they produce more protein per
and large-scale levels. The country the enormous potential that exists for kg of feed.
holds 60% of all dammed water in the fish farming here in Zimbabwe.
SADC region and boasts the largest
To assist small-scale farmers to enter
“We have fabulous water resources the industry, ZFPA is working to make
and perfect climatic conditions for fish all the required inputs and services
farming. We have all the inputs, the accessible to farmers in one package.
right feed to grow fish commercially “We plan to roll out the same model as
and we need to take advantage of this the one used in the broiler industry, so
to grow aquaculture into a strong and as to support small-scale producers
burgeoning industry in Zimbabwe.” with a full package of inputs and to
provide farming advice,” explains
Government is ready to partner the Gerry McCollum.
new ZFPA to ensure the success of fish
farming in Zimbabwe, guest speaker, The vision to grow aquaculture in
Eng. Ringston Chitsiko, permanent Zimbabwe will focus on developing
secretary in the ministry of agriculture fish farming in areas with greatest
mechanization and irrigation, said at production and marketing potential,
the launch. By recognising that fish are greater use of the abundant water
livestock, to be farmed commercially resources and growing commercial
for food production and not just smallholder aquaculture in the country.
conserved in their wild state for Where there are no water bodies, there
capture, government has classified is scope for pond construction, the
aquaculture as part of the livestock basis of commercial smallholder fish
sub-sector.
farming in Asia.
Fish can be farmed intensively; they are
efficient converters of feed into protein
A Magazine for Livestock and Meat Advisory Council & its allied associations
ZIMBABWE FISH PRODUCERS' ASSOCIATION LAUNCH
- bringing aquaculture into agriculture
Picture Courtesy of African Fisherman
Picture Courtesy of African Fisherman
Malachite bream
In the warmer areas of Zimbabwe, not
as well suited to other forms of
Livestock Today April-June 2016 7