‘INTRODUCE FISH FARMING OUT-GROWER SCHEMES’

Mr Enoch Mweemba said fishing companies such as Yalelo and Lake Harvesters should take advantage of their wide sales network in the country to boost production through bringing on board emerging small scale fish farmers.

Mr Mweemba said large fish producers on Lake Kariba should change their strategy and ensure that everyone was brought on board in the production chain.

He said commercial fish farmers should not viewing small-scale fish farmers as competitors but workout mechanisms to incorporate them.

He said out-grower scheme would not only increase production of fish on the man-made lake but also create more employment for the local youths.

Mr Mweemba said the out- grower system would have long term benefits for both the large fish producers like Yalelo and the small scale farmers as the case with Zambia Sugar in Mazabuka district which has partnered with locals to produce sugar canes.

He said Yalelo and Lake Harvesters should also consider establishing a fisheries training school to help the local farmers acquire knowledge in best practice in fishing farming.

Mr Mweemba who is among the people who have applied for funding from the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission(CEEC) for fish farming project said the introduction of out-growers scheme has the potential to make Zambia one of the largest producer of Fish not only in the SADC region but also on the African continent.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock with support from the African Development Bank, is implementing the Zambia Aquaculture Enterprise Development Project (ZAEDP).

ZAEDP’s objective is to contribute to economic growth as well as provide food and nutrition security in Zambia.

Siavonga is among the targeted districts for the project that will be funded through the CEEC.

The Project development objective is to advance the aquaculture sub-sector as a viable and inclusive business opportunity.

This should be done through enhanced production in order to improve the livelihoods of beneficiaries along the Aquaculture Value Chain.

AN upcoming fish farmer in Siavonga has called on large fish companies in the area to seriously consider introducing out- grower schemes in order to increase fish production on Lake Kariba.