Fish farming excites Dedza communities
Communities in group village head (GVH) Mkomba, Traditional Authority Tambala in Dedza District have taken to fish farming to better their livelihood.
Since 2007, the farmers have been raising fish in ponds located in wetlands (dambos) in their villages.
Supported by World Vision Malawi, the 33 farmers from Mkomba, Mtuwanga, Kajenda, Chiphwanya and Bata villages got serious with the new venture until in 2022 when they decided to form Chemba Fish Farming Cooperative.
In an interview on Tuesday, one of the fish farmers, Francis Koloni from GVH Nkomba said fish farming was both a source of food to improve nutrition and a source of income.
“World Vision promoted fish farming to ensure families have adequate food and income,” he said.
Another farmer Zainab M’dala from Kumwembe II Village said fish farming improved her livelihood.
“I have two fish ponds where I raise makumba and chilungumba fish species. World Vision donated the fingerlings in 2007 from Mangochi. After some time, Dedza District Council also donated fingerlings. Then in 2022/23 season, The Clinton Hunter Foundation also donated fingerlings,” she said.
M’dala, who ventured into fish farming in 2022, said in June 2024 she harvested 47 kilogrammes of fish which she sold at K211 500.
Mayani Extension Planning Area officer Timothy Kabango said his office teaches farmers how to construct fish ponds, prepare feed and fish management.
He said there are 212 fish ponds in the area and three belongs to individuals while the rest belong the cooperative.
