Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa says Zambia’s annual fish demand of 140,000 metric tonnes provides room for a flourishing fish farming industry as the country’s production per annum is around 95,000 metric tonnes.
Speaking at the official launch of the Zambia Association in South Africa (ZASA) Fish Farm Project under the auspices of David Ficham AquaCulture in Muldersdrift Gauteng Province, Major General Jackson Miti said there is a guaranteed market in Zambia for fish and fish products.
Major General Miti stated that fish farming has the potential to create employment and incomes for households as well as contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“The government is committed to the promotion of aquaculture, which it sees as an important means to improve the country’s economic status. Fish provides safe and nutritious dietary needs for the people,” Major Gen Miti said.
Meanwhile, ZASA Business Forum chairperson George Zozi said the Tilapia Fish Project is an initiative of a group of Zambians living in South Africa, whose vision is to commercialize the Tilapia business to eradicate poverty within and outside South Africa.
Mr Zozi added that Aquaculture is the fastest growing food-producing sector in the world, contributing one-third of global fish production.
“The benefits of Aquaculture will increase production of food for human consumption and open commercially viable business opportunities, and ultimately raise exports of locally produced foods,” Mr. Zozi stated.
He called on government to Collaborate with the Association in skills development, saying the group is targeting to develop Zambian owned Aquaculture Production Units in the next five years, and turn the Units into the best fingerling production centers in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
This is contained in a statement issued by First Secretary Press and Public Relations at the Zambia High Commission in South Africa Naomi Nyawali.
