By HAPPY MULOLANI –
ONE of the key sectors which need to be exploited to contribute to improved livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Zambia is the aquaculture and fisheries sector.
A notable fact is that despite Zambia being endowed with natural water resources which offer momentous opportunities to meet the national fish demands in the country, the aquaculture and fisheries sector is yet to meet the high demand for fish.
It is a fact that the Zambian capture fisheries sub sector is over exploited, which is attributed to poor fishing methods.
If the practice is not curbed, the situation can result in limited fish breeding.
This gloomy picture needs to be addressed urgently in order for the sector to contribute to the country’s food security and economic status.
Statistics indicate that the annual demand for fish in Zambia exceeds 180, 000 metric tonnes per year, whereas the fishing industry can only supply about 87, 000 metric tonnes per year due to depleted stocks.
This provides an opportunity for the country to encourage more farmers to take up fish farming.
In a quest to reduce the fish deficit, government is implementing specific interventions to increase the fish farming activities to meet the current fish demand.
Through the Farming As a Business Schools (FaaBS), facilitated by the Enhanced Smallholder Agribusiness Promotion Programme (E-SAPP), a total of 1,068 have been trained in fish farming in two focal districts on the Copperbelt.
These are Kitwe and Luanshya districts, with 515 and 535 farmers respectively trained in fish farming.
These training programmes have provided a horizon for farmers to engage and expand their fish farming as they endeavour to take advantage of the ready domestic market even before thinking about exporting to neighbouring countries.
Previously, farmers were producing poor fish quality which was not tasty.
However, producing tasty and table size fish is more sustainable for the market, as it attracts high profit returns.
Consequently, smallholder farmers now realise that with the recommended approach of ensuring fish is managed properly, they can improve their livelihoods.
The trainings have opened up farmers’ minds that they need to properly manage their fish ponds, as aquaculture is being promoted to improve the food security levels, nutrition and income.
Mupundu FaaBS in Luanshya, lead farmer, Emelia Kambobe, says prior to venturing in fish farming, it is important to draw lessons and challenges from other farmers already engaged in the value chain.
This helps inform the decisions they make, as they take up fish farming.
For instance, Ms Kambobe cites an animal which used to prey on her fish in the fish ponds but because of the prior knowledge acquired from FaaBS and agriculture staff, it is easy to enforce preventative measures to avoid depleting the fish.
Mutupa Chantete FaaBS member in Kitwe, Joyce Makai, now understands that fish farming is less labour intensive.
Ms Makai explains that through FaaBS offering support to fish farmers, it is now easier and better for them to engage in fish farming, noting that with good management of fish, the current pricing is well higher than maize and other food crops.
“If we can focus on fish farming in view of the high profit margin and market value, we will have more income to improve our economic status,” she says.
Although farmers are a key factor in the aquaculture value chain, their incomes in fish production remain minimal due to the poor quality of fish, management skill and limited access to market.
Kitwe Senior Agricultural Officer, Paul Mbale adds that the approach of FaaBS has been useful in terms of farmers learning integrated agriculture as they get equipped and also graduate once they acquire the required knowledge and practical skills in their value chain.
“The idea of expanding knowledge and skills through FaaBS will enable farmers to breed quality fish and satisfy market demands,” Mr Mbale says.
The FaaBS strategy is also meant to allow farmers to focus on market oriented fish farming and ensure they have total control over their production.
To ensure efficiency, E-SAPP is promoting fish farming as a business to enable fish farmers to sustainably manage their systems for increased incomes and nutrition security.
As such, an increase in fish production will result in more stable prices and fish becoming readily available to people who are not directly involved in production.
Copperbelt Provincial Agricultural Coordinator, Obvious Kabinda recognizes the fact that smallholder farmers have abundant land and water, but lack appropriate knowledge on fish management in order to sustainably meet the country’s current demands.
“Identifying the problems farmers face is key, as it will be a starting point in teaching them how to handle their fish value chain and also offer long-term solutions,” Dr Kabinda affirms.
Government is committed to the agenda of promoting aquaculture as a viable business at all scales of farming.
Inevitably, aquaculture has the potential to improve the status of the country’s populace, through increased income, nutrition and food security.
Thus, it is important for smallholder farmers to also engage in knowledge sharing events in order for them to learn new technologies and best aquaculture practices. -NAIS