Vice President Inonge Wina says Zambia is poised to significantly reduce the 87, 000 metric tonnes fish deficit and imports as the country looks inward for solutions to its challenges.
Officiating at the launch of the US$6 million Aquaculture Seed Fund Youth Empowerment Initiative under the Zambia Aquaculture Enterprise Development project in Lusaka, Mrs. Wina said the injection of funds into the sector is a clear indication that the future of Zambia’s aquaculture is very bright as one of the challenges of inadequate financial capital in the sector has been tackled.
Mrs. Wina, who thanked President Edgar Lungu for approving the funds which will go towards empowerment of the youth in the aquaculture value-chain, stated that the fund will also build capacity for young people who lack skills and knowledge in aquaculture as a business venture.
“Let me take this opportunity to thank the President for approving funds amounting to US$6 million that will go towards empowerment of the youth in the agriculture value-chain. This initiative is part of the 29 million US dollars seed fund for the aquaculture sector that the President mentioned in his speech to the nation on 6th June, 2020 on Covid-19.”
“The future of aquaculture in Zambia is very bright, as one of the challenges of inadequate financial capital in the Aquaculture sector seems to have been tackled vigorously by our government with the injection of funds into the sector. Zambia is poised to reduce significantly the 87, 000 metric tonnes fish deficit and fish imports as we look inward for solutions to our challenges,” Mrs. Wina said.
Mrs. Wina further urged beneficiaries of the funds to pay back the loans, so that other young people can as well benefit, as Government is committed to carrying out empowerment programmes that will uplift the lives of all.
And speaking at the same event, Livestock and Fisheries Minister Professor Nkandu Luo said the ministry will give US$6 Million to youths in all the 10 Provinces of the country so that they can participate actively.
“To demonstrate the misconception that government has not been paying attention to the young people, my Ministry has invested US$6 million specifically for only Aquaculture for the young people.”
“To also demonstrate and remove the misconception that government has not been doing anything for the young people, we have invited representatives from all 10 Provinces of Zambia. We have young people who are graduands of Mulungushi University, Copperbelt University and Kapasa Makasa University who have done Aquaculture, we as a Ministry believe that they don’t need to be employed because they have the skill so we will set them up,” Professor Luo said.
She added that the ministry will continue to give 30 percent of projects to youths and further advised them to acquire more information so that they can benefit from empowerment programmes.