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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
agriculture, fish can be introduced as an alternative form o f c o m m e r c i a l f a r m i n g . A q u a c u l t u r e c a n p l a y a complementary role in the fish industry too, augmenting livelihoods of capture fisherman whose catches have been steadily declining over the last decade. A Magazine for Livestock and Meat Advisory Council & its allied associations Bringing aquaculture into agriculture continued from page ...7 The ministry of agriculture, mechanization and irrigation is developing an aquaculture capacity building programme for Zimbabwe, with technical assistance from SmartFish and FAO Calling on Zimbabwe to emulate ZFPA is working to develop a the example of some other regulatory framework for African countries, SmartFish aquaculture in Zimbabwe, one of Programme fisheries and Picture Courtesy of African Fisherman the few countries in Africa that aquaculture advisor, Dr Blessing does not yet have one, and to suited to high stocking in dams and Mapfumo, told the ZFPA launch harmonise all legislation relating to ponds. Another key development is gathering: “Fish production requires fish and aquaculture. “We also need the Aquaculture Quality Control the creation of an enabling to establish production standards and Laboratory in Harare, to be equipped environment.” The continent's top six benchmark with other countries,” says with EU funding under the SmartFish fish producers, Namibia, Zambia, Gerry McCollum. programme. In a programme of Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and South technical assistance to Zimbabwe Africa, have invested in aquaculture The development in Zimbabwe of a started in 2012, SmartFish has development with stimulus policies specialised fish feeds' industry in provided training in aquaculture, and development programmes that recent years has improved tilapia v a l u e c h a i n a n d b u s i n e s s are building strong aquaculture growth rates for the commercial development support, as well as trade industries in these countries. farming of Africa's indigenous fish, and marketing studies and promotion.
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