Gweru, March 21, 2023 (New Ziana) – The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has said a total of 1200 dams are to be stocked with indigenous fish species under the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme developed to enhance food and nutrition security and livelihoods.
The scheme was developed as part of the Government’s efforts to contribute significantly to enhanced food and nutrition security.
The Ministry’s Crop, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment Report (Pre-harvest) CLAFA-1 2022/23 Summer Season, said it is targeting to stock 1,200 dams and other water bodies by 2025 with indigenous fish species, mostly tilapia/ bream species.
The scheme has to date stocked a total of 21 dams in Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West, Matabeleland South, Mashonaland East, Masvingo and Midlands provinces.
In 2021, a total of 9 836 MT of fish were caught from inland dams, which is an increase from 9 552 MT in 2020.
Most small-scale fish farmers are in the communal sector (69 percent) and the least in Large Scale Sector (3 percent)
Kapenta production increased from 5 333 tonnes in 2020 to 5 950 in 2021.
“Kapenta captured from Kariba Dam has increased from 5 333 MT in 2020 to 5 950 MT in 2021. However, the increase is still below the 2019 capture of 8 682 MT. This was due to low water levels and overfishing in Kariba dam,” the report said.
“A total of 16 293 204 fingerlings were produced in 2022. Breams are the most farmed fish species at 90 percent, followed by Trout at 7 percent and Catfish 3 percent. Nile Tilapia production decreased by 14 percent from 5 803 tonnes in 2021 to 4 948 tonnes in 2022,” the Ministry said.
The number of fishponds increased by 29 percent from 5 634 in 2022 to 7 247 in 2023.
There is a steady increase in the number of fishponds from 2020 to 2022, with Mashonaland West having the highest number (64 percent) of fishponds constructed, followed by Matabeleland South (49 percent).
“Nile Tilapia fingerlings have the highest production compared to other breeds. This is because of all commercial hatcheries breeding Nile Tilapia. Most farmers source their fingerlings from local fish farmers. This recycling of genetics can result in inbreeding, loss of hybrid vigour and stunted growths,” said the Ministry.
A total of 16 million fingerlings were produced in 2022.
“Small-scale farmers in most provinces still have difficulty acquiring fingerlings from reputable breeders, as these are in Kariba and Bindura. Mozambique and Red breasted breams are mainly bred at ZIMPARKS and Research Institutions for conservation purposes,” the report said.
New Ziana
