Increase funding to fisheries dept, govt told

By PETER MALASHA A CIVIC leader in Mkushi has appealed to government to adequately fund the fisheries department in the area.

Chalata ward councillor Moses Majimela made the appeal in interview with the Daily Nation. Mr. Manjimela said there was need for government to adequately fund the fisheries department to stimulate fish farming activities at Chalata government fish ponds. Mr. Manjimela said the government ponds were not doing as expected due to erratic funding of the programmes which had in turn affected the operations. “We expect government to improve on funding of the fisheries department in Mkushi in 2018 as a way of promoting fish farming in the area. Fish farming is another alternative for farmers to boost their revenue base if taken serious in areas where there is enough water for fish survival.” Mr. Manjimela said. Councillor Manjimela noted that, if the Chalata fish ponds programmes were well funded, the interested farmers would benefit through training and sensitisation programmes to equip them with knowledge. He said the move would go a long way in creating self-employment for youths unlike waiting for government to provide them with employment.

Mr. Manjimela further praised officers manning the government fish ponds for their hard work and maintaining fish species for fish farming development in the area.