A large untapped potential

According to the latest report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations on the state of world fisheries and aquaculture, while China remains by far the biggest player in the global aquaculture industry, other countries are starting to follow suit.

In Nigeria, aquaculture production has grown 20 times in the last two decades and the whole of SubSaharan Africa seems to be following at the same pace. But despite abundant fish stocks, Zimbabwe’s aquaculture industry still lacks dynamism and contributes less than 10 percent to the national GDP.

In addition, fish provide only 2 percent of the total proteins consumed by Zimbabweans. As a result, the country must import each year nearly 40,000 tons of fish from South Africa or Mozambique to fill its deficit.

This situation only strengthened Pan’s determination to turn things around. “With the appropriate techniques, Zimbabwe’s aquaculture industry can be widely developed, which would allow access to a huge market. I am working to help local people improve their aquaculture techniques.”