ACTION AID ZAMBIA TO EMPOWER FISHERS
ZAMBIA is endowed with vast water bodies that support both agriculture and the aquaculture sectors. The fishing industry is one major vital sector which contributes to social and economic growth of the nation at both national and household levels.
Most of the rural communities along these major water bodies are dependent on fish capture and fish trade as their source of livelihood. However most these fishers are faced with economic challenges during the enforcement of fishing ban period as this is their only source of income.
It is for this reason that Action Aid Zambia in partnership with the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock development has commenced activities which will enable fishers and traders to diversify to other social economic ventures during the fishing ban period.
Speaking during the consultative meetings with fishermen and fish traders in Kafue District fishing camps of Chanyanya and Minyoni, Action Aid Zambia Project Officer, Mambo Tembo emphasised the need for the fishers not only to depend on fishing but to engage in other income generating activities so as to avoid being in conflict with the law.
And Lusaka Province Fisheries Officer Muyangali Kagoli says the European Union Funded, Action Aid Zambia sustainable Fisheries Management Project which will be based in Kafue and Luangwa districts will not only reduce the economic hardships faced by the fishers during the fish ban but will also upgrade the management of the fishery areas in the respective fishing communities.
“We appreciate and thank Action Aid Zambia for coming on board to support our smallscale fishers so that at the end of the day, we have alternative livelihoods so that they are able to diversify from fish to other economic activities to sustain their livelihoods, especially during the fish ban,” reveals Mr. Kagoli.
Meanwhile Kafue District Fisheries Officer Aaron Mbuzi has commended Action Aid Zambia for initiating developmental programs which will uplift the welfare of the fishers in the district.
“Our fisher folk around Kafue face a lot of challenges, such as sanitation where they are operating from, limited resources, transportation, storage and value addition. The coming of this project will help in reducing the challenges the fishers go through,” Appreciates Mr. Mbuzi.
GOVERNMENT has handed over 20 diary animals to women and youths in Chief Choongo's area in Monze under the Enhanced Small Holder Livestock Investment Project (E-SLIP).
This is aimed at improving milk production, income and poverty reduction among beneficiaries.
Chief Choongo of the Tonga speaking people said the project would raise standards of living and eradicate poverty among his people.
In the first phase, 20 out of the total of 40 diary animals were handed over to be distributed to beneficiaries in the area.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister, Nkandu Luo, said Government attached great importance to the development of the livestock sector through restocking exercise under the E-SLIP project.
Professor Luo said the
E-SLIP project was founded on the premise of fighting poverty and improving living standards through livestock pass on programme in Monze District and other parts of the country.
The Minister added that the project was focusing on benefiting 50 per cent women, 30 per cent youths with 20 per cent for men.
Prof Luo was speaking in a speech read on her behalf at Nteme Milk Collection Centre by Deputy Director in the Ministry,Young Vibetti.
Prof Luo said the E-SLIP pass on projects of livestock such as goats, chickens and cattle had two components including increasing animal production and as well as disease control.
She said the ultimate goal of the project was to see improved nutrition, income and poverty reduction in Monze District and other parts of the country where the project was being implemented.
“My government through the E-SLIP project has handed over 20 out of the 40 diary animals for beneficiaries in Nteme area and the main aim of this project is to enhance animal production as well as income generation and thus eradicate poverty among the beneficiary households,” Prof Luo said.
“We expect beneficiaries to take very good care of these animals with the understanding that this is a pass on project that once a calf is born it should be given to the next beneficiary. We need to improve nutrition and at the same time eradicate poverty,” she added.
And Chief Choongo advised beneficiaries to take good care of the animals so that others too could benefit.
He noted that it was encouraging that the E-SLIP pass on livestock project being implemented by the government was not only meant for Monze but the entire country saying this would significantly help to reduce poverty.
“I want to sincerely thank the government for remembering my subjects to also benefit from the E-SLIP diary animals pass on project and I just want to encourage beneficiaries to take extra care of these animals so that others can benefit as well,” Chief Choongo said.