Zimbabwe: Aquaculture

Aquaculture in Zimbabwe is struggling to reach its full potential despite the technical progress. FAO started a project to improve food security and contribute to poverty reduction, as well as stimulate economic growth across this landlocked nation.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), aquaculture in Zimbabwe is struggling to reach its full potential despite the technical progress.

FAO started a project to improve food security and contribute to poverty reduction, as well as stimulate economic growth across this landlocked nation.

The project is a part of the global initiative called FISH4ACP, an innovative programme, devised with the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and to be implemented by FAO.

The initiative will invest in value chains to stimulate inclusive growth, bolster food security and minimize impacts on the marine environment.

FAO’s Gilles VanDeWalle said, “fish is very important for the economies of the countries of these regions as a source of food, as a source of income, as a source of livelihood, as a source of job. But the fisheries and aquaculture sectors have not been able to reach the full potential that they could in these in these regions and not only have not been able to reach the growth that it could have, but as well the benefits that they generate do not always reach those communities that need the most.”

In Zimbabwe per capita fish consumption (2.6 kg) is significantly below the average in other Southern African states (6 kg).

At the same time Nile tilapia, the main aquaculture product of the country, has a higher price than in many other African nations with retail prices hitting 3 USD per kilo, twice the regional average, making it unaffordable for many people.

Consumption of tilapia in Zimbabwe can be increased significantly if production costs can be decreased to reduce retail prices.

Hafra Nanhanga, tilapia farmer, said: “When I entered into the tilapia farming, I thought it was an easy thing to do, especially when we started on the construction of ponds. I thought we can just use our pits, our walls to make the ponds. But later om, I discovered that there was a need for big machineries like excavators.”

FISH4ACP initiative aims to unlock the potential of smallholder fish farmers using sustainable practices and scaling-up production by improving access to the technical know-how.

The goal is to make fisheries and aquaculture value chains in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific more sustainable.

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2022 the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture.

FAO is the lead agency for celebrating the year in collaboration with other relevant organizations and bodies of the United Nations system.