Zambia’s capital city Lusaka has announced it will provide necessary training in fish rearing to encourage more farmers to venture into aquaculture to meet the country’s protein demand
Luxon Kazabu, deputy minister of agriculture and livestock of Lusaka, said that Zambia requires about 156,000 tonnes of fish annually but produces less than 120,000 tonnes a year.
“The government’s decision to embark on fish farming will ensure that many of our farmers especially in rural areas where there are abundant water resources like Luapula, Muchinga and western provinces venture into fish farming. Currently, we are producing less than 120,000 tonnes but we require about 156,000 tonnes annually,” added Kazabu.
According to the deputy minister, the government will help individuals with the necessary skills such as extensions services, placing of cages and construction of ponds, which is the basic way of fish farming.
"The agriculture sector is a key area that will contribute to job creation as well as reduce poverty levels in the country,” said Kazabu.
Currently, Zambia produces 85,000 tonnes of fish per year with about 6,000 tonnes of fish being imported annually from India, Zimbabwe, China and other countries, revealed Kazabu.