(3 minutes read)
The Zambian Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries is working towards eliminating the current fish deficit in the country in three years’ time by 2026. This was stated by Livestock and Fisheries Minister Makozo Chikote recently. He said that the country still has a deficit of about 35 metric tons of fish based on 2022 estimates.
Chikote said his ministry was proposing interventions to enhance production so that Zambia would not have a fish deficit within the next two to three years.
The ministry has introduced the aquaculture intervention, which includes supporting the farmers by providing them with affordable loans through the ZAEDP project. Farmers have access to affordable loans ranging from K150,000 going upwards without producing collaterals. Banks insist on collateral when the loan amount exceeds or crosses the threshold of K500,000.
Chikote disclosed that several people have been trained in the field to ensure that they provided extension services to make farmers understand the latest interventions in aquaculture, and make fish farming a business. The government is also partnering with cooperatives to set up hatcheries. The private sector was also invited to invest in the fishery sector.
Read Also:
https://trendsnafrica.com/zambian-president-hakainde-hichilema-in-italy-to-meet-pm-today/
Chikote also mentioned that the ministry was trying to ensure that the private sector comes on board by producing fish feed at an affordable price. He said if all these measures are implemented and put in place, Zambia will in the next two to three years not have a fish deficit, but instead discussions would be around Zambia being a net exporter of fish. He also assured that the government would always try to make sure that a conducive environment is created for the farmers to excel in the sector.
