Fish farmers hail value chain project
Fish farmers in the Northern Region have commended Aquaculture Value Chain Project for transforming their lives through fish production.
Speaking on Thursday during the project’s closure workshop, a fish farmer Odoi Mwangonde said fish farming has enabled them to generate income and improve nutrition.
“We thank the technical support the project rendered to fish farmers in the region that has scaled up fish ponds and empowered people economically,” he said.
Mwangonde said the project has helped farmers establish fish hatcheries and promoted the use of modern fish production technologies.
“Through trainings, farmers are now able to access quality fingerlings, technologies and advice on how to operate commercially-viable fish farming enterprises,” he said.
Mwangonde has since urged fish farmers in the Northern Region to sustain the project.
Aquaculture Value Chain project team leader Domnica de Ladislao commended the support from all stakeholders during the implementing period.
He urged farmers to continuously seek additional support from other partners in areas not addressed by the project.
“However, I am confident that the project has set the stage and good policy framework for fish farmers to realise commercialisation goals,” said de Ladislao.
Aquaculture Services deputy director Geoff Kanyerere advised fisheries managers in the region not to sideline some farmers when delivering extension services.
“Sidelining other farmers will cripple the gains made and frustrate in-coming project interventions,” he said.
During the event, outstanding fish farmers were rewarded with bicycles, bags of fish feeds, nets and feed-making appliances and a certificate each.
The four-year GIZ-funded project is phasing out in December this year.
The project is being implemented in 21 districts, including Mzimba, Nkhata Bay and Rumphi in the Northern Region.
