Embrace fish farming, Mzimba people told

Bwengu agriculture development  officer Christopher Kanyika has urged people in Mzimba North to embrace integrated fish farming to improve protein food intake.

Speaking on Tuesday at the end of a two-day training in the district, he asked the communities to take fish farming seriously taking advantage of requisite conditions in the area to improve their livelihoods.

Kanyika’s plea comes as communities in Mpandanyali, Kampeya and Kamanda are benefitting from agriculture and climate resilience interventions implemented by Evangelical Lutheran Development Services which includes crop and fish farming.

He, therefore, advised communities to utilise perennial rivers and good soils in the area for fish and irrigation farming that will guarantee them access and availability of food at both household and community level.

“The start is impressive with 13 standard fish ponds but use the knowledge and skills gained from this training to construct more fish ponds if your farming is to be more profitable,” said Kanyika.

Evangelical Lutheran Development Services (Elds) is implementing a three-year climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods project in Bwengu Extension Planning Area with emphasis of fish farming in the uplands of Viphya plateau which are isolated and hard-to-reach.

Elds has partnered with Agriculture and Fisheries Department in supporting communities with construction materials, supply of fingerlings and training.

Elds project officer Gazeli Phiri said communities need to be guided to sustainably utilise natural resources to improve their livelihoods.

He said he was impressed with the interventions’ progress and disclosed plans to extend their operations in Mzimba North.

Kamanda Fish Farming Club chairperson Ken Kamba commended government agencies and partners for the support, saying the training will deepen their understanding of fish farming.