hands with Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Lackson Kazabu
while Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Wylbur Simuusa (centre)
looks on. This was shortly after Mr Simuusa announced the Crop
Forecasting Survey (CFS) results at the Government Complex in Lusaka
Government says it places the fisheries sub-sector high on the economic development and poverty reduction agenda of Zambia.
Agricultural and Livestock deputy minister Lackson Kazabu said this is evidenced by government focusing on small holder aquaculture development, sustainable capture fisheries management, fisheries research and marketing.
Mr. Kazabu noted that over one million people in the country were directly or indirectly involved in the fishing industry through fishing, fish processing, fish trading, transportation and boat building.
He disclosed that over the past 40 years, total fish production from natural fisheries had increased from about 40,000 to 78,000 metric tonnes annually.
And Mr. Kazabu has revealed that Zambia’s total fish consumption per annum was 156,000 metric tonnes.
He explained that considering the fish consumption figure against a total production of 98,000 metric tonnes from capture fisheries and aquaculture, there was a deficit of 58,000 metric tonnes.
Mr. Kazabu however disclosed that government had embarked on the promotion of fish farming among small scale farmers using ponds, cages and pens in order to meet the deficit.
He added that government was also promoting the conservation and sustainable management of capture fisheries.
Mr. Kazabu said this during the Committee for Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture of Africa (CIFAA) meeting in Lusaka today.
Meanwhile, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Assistant Director General, Bukar Tijani noted that the objective of CIFAA was to promote the development of inland fisheries and aquaculture in Africa.
Mr. Tijani disclosed that FAO was able and willing to work with CIFAA and that it needed its consented efforts.
He urged the delegates to strengthen support by taking concrete decisions which would help in transforming the CIFAA objects into a reality in the region.
CIFAA, which was established by FAO, represents a continent-wide, regional Inland fisheries and agriculture body which works to foster and promote international cooperation in the development, management, utilization and conservation of fisheries resources of inland waters of Africa.
Maybe stop exporting till reserves replenish?
Also encourage small scale fish farming by giving affordable grants to capable Zambians.
Problem solved right there.
Ta.
Where does Zambia export fish?
58,000 tonnes fish deficit. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
It’s very bad. It means Zambia is dependent on imports and other countries for it’s food security, despite having plenty of good land and lakes available for fish production locally.
Please help more farmers diversify. FRA is taking them for granted with their maize production. They can sell this directly to the market.
@NilePerch, per your question on exportation of fish. Zambia exports large amounts of fish to Lubumbashi and other DRC mining areas. Straight from Kariba to Congo.
While that’s true, it’s an incomplete and misleading fact. More significantly, Zambia is a net fish IMPORTER by 20,000 – 50,000 tonnes per year! The wide range is because accurate data is not recorded.