Staff Reporter
MARONDERA– The Government has set its eyes on raising US$1 billion through fish farming in the next six years as part of the agriculture sector’s contribution towards the nation’s economy building.
Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Davis Marapira revealed this when he addressed delegates at a National Mega Fish Stocking initiative which was held in Mudzi district, Mashonaland East province recently.
The initiative was launched at the Kazanhi family’s homestead in Ward 3, where fish farmers who had already constructed fish ponds for that purpose, received fingerlings to boost their enterprises.
In his address, Marapira said: “President Emmerson Mnangagwa always says that by the year 2030, every Zimbabwean should have money. As a Ministry, we have a plan whereby we will create a US$1 billion economy by 2030 out of fish farming. That is our target and currently, we are producing about 33 000 tonnes of fish. Zimbabwe requires 60 000 tonnes every year and this means that for us to reach that number, we are importing fish.
“If then we can reach and exceed our target of 60 000 tonnes, then it means we can export the surplus. This is what President Mnangagwa envisions. He wants all of us to get an extra income through fish farming. In that vein, the Government will keep on supporting farmers and ensure that communities are transformed. We commend the tireless efforts that have been put by farmers, staff and community leaders involved in the fish farming programme. Our support for this project remains unwavering, recognising its potential to uplift our communities.”
In line with Rural Development 8.0, the fish farming initiative demonstrates the Government’s commitment to the country’s development mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
Fifty-five fish ponds were constructed in Mudzi district alone and they will be stocked with 110 000 fingerlings, making the district the largest recipient of fingerlings from the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme in the country to date. The milestone demonstrates the Government’s commitment to boosting fish production and empowering local economies.
The Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Aplonia Munzverengwi commended President Mnangagwa and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development for the community fisheries scheme, saying it has gone a long way in transforming people’s lives especially in the rural areas.
She said: “For a long time, I have been observing the transformative journey that our farmers in Mudzi district have embarked on. The developments taking place are there for all of us to see and I am greatly impressed by the impeccable work that the department of fisheries and aquaculture is doing in alleviating the lives of communities, especially the small holder farmers.
“Fish farming is transforming lives and this what we always want to see. We want to thank President Mnangagwa for programmes of this magnitude.”
Innocent Kazanhi, a beneficiary of the fish farming programme who received 2000 fingerlings thanked Government for the support, adding that he was eying to commercialise his project.
“I have a passion in projects of this nature and all along, I was planning to do fish farming. Unfortunately, back then, I had no capacity to acquire fingerlings. However, my dream has now been fulfilled as the Government has given me 2000 fingerlings. My ambition is to construct more fish ponds and do large scale commercial fish farming. I thank President Mnangagwa and the Government for this noble gesture. Here in Mudzi, we are being empowered and we will reciprocate this by contributing to the achievement of the country’s Vision 2030,” Kazanhi said.
New Ziana
